Wiley Magnet Middle Students Find Mentors at Wake Forest Innovation Quarter

In the Oct. 2 issue of The Chronicle, T. Kevin Walker writes about students at Wiley Magnet Middle School working with the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter.

Here is an excerpt:

For science-minded students, the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter is a perpetual playground with something new to discover and ponder at every turn.

The minds of 10 Wiley Magnet Middle School students are being set free there this school year to explore, absorb and create their own brand of innovation. 

Wiley, whose STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) magnet program is just about a year old, has partnered with the downtown science and technology hub for a year-long mentoring program – Future Innovators. It pairs each Wiley student with his or her own mentor – an employee from one of Innovation Quarter’s various divisions.

Each month through the end of the school year, the students will visit the Quarter to work on science-based projects with their mentors. During each visit, a different topic will be tackled. Last Friday, when students made their first visit, robotics was the theme; microbiology is on tap for October. Students will present projects of their own creation for their last visit next May.

“This is not just a field trip; this is not just a one-off,” Wiley Principal Sean Gaillard said, emphasizing the importance of giving his students a sustained educational experience.

Teachers recommended students they thought would be ideal for Future Innovators. Those chosen have a keen sense of curiosity and a hunger for learning. They are also a motley group reflective of Wiley’s diversity, Gaillard said. 

Future Innovator Jayshawn Fluitt imagines a future in technical engineering, where his hands and mind can work in unison.

“I want to build things – like cars, from scratch,” he said.

His mentor is Vishal Khanna, director of marketing and business development for Wake Forest Innovations, a division of the Quarter that turns science and technological advances into money-making ventures. Jayshawn’s very first mentor, though, was his grandpa.

“He can fix almost anything,” Jayshawn bragged.

For the full story, go to The Chronicle