On July 11, California State University, Los Angeles, celebrated a graduation ceremony for 200 middle school students, primarily from East Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District, along with their families and friends. (Photo Credit: Jordan Renville/Cal State LA)
This event marked a milestone for participants of the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program, now in its ninth year, which offers a free and enriching experience for incoming sixth- to eighth-grade students from the surrounding communities.
Jessica Morales-Chicas, the program director at Cal State LA, pointed out that many students come from predominantly Latino and lower-income families, drawing attention to the “great digital divide” these communities face, which goes beyond just access to technology.
The three-week program, funded by the Verizon Foundation, is designed to inspire and empower underrepresented youth through hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It aims to ignite their interest in these fields and build their confidence for future opportunities.
During the program, students delve into a world filled with cutting-edge technologies, including augmented and virtual reality, 3D design and printing, robotics, and coding.
Through engaging activities, students have the opportunity to manipulate robots, learn coding skills, and even compete to write the most effective code to navigate their robots through challenging obstacle courses.
This year, the program received tremendous interest, with over 600 children applying. Two lucky participants shared their experiences with enthusiasm.
Emily, one of the program’s participants, expressed her excitement about making new friends, gaining valuable skills, and exploring the campus of California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA).
Anthony also shared his ambition to deepen his understanding of robotics, showcasing the aspirations that the program fosters among its youth.
Juan Bobadilla, whose children, Juan Jr. and Ava, participated, spoke with pride about how the program has given them a clearer understanding of STEM concepts and opened up exciting possibilities for their future careers.
The program offers daily classes led by skilled STEM instructors, mentorship from talented Cal State LA undergraduate and graduate students, and a structured curriculum carefully aligned with emerging 21st-century career pathways.
The graduation ceremony was a showcase of creativity and achievement, with students demonstrating the projects they worked on during the program and sharing heartfelt testimonials about their experiences.
The program also provides access to 3D printers, valuable insights into technological production, and support in developing innovative ideas as budding social entrepreneurs.
Morales-Chicas noted that the program has inspired many participants to explore careers in STEM, with some former students returning as mentors to guide the next generation.
One such mentor is Eric Apodaca, a sophomore at Cal State LA who participated in the first cohort when he was just 10 years old.
Since 2020, he has been volunteering as a mentor, sharing his knowledge and experience with young learners eager to learn about robotics and coding in the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program, which is fostering a bright future for the participants and their communities.
Students, educators, mentors, and parents share how the Verizon Innovative Learning program shaped their paths and futures. #SummerSTEMhttps://t.co/JOzlZe8Wmo
— Verizon News (@VerizonNews) May 9, 2025
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