Five local students were recently invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum – David LoDuca, James Feeley, John Moore, Maegan Bondurant and Kylee Watson.

These students, along with outstanding elementary school students from across the nation, took part in a unique academic development experience called the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM.

Held on campuses across the country, the forum inspires students in grades three through five to explore life as an engineer, a doctor, or a detective.

“This is a great opportunity for high-achieving scholars to get outside the classroom and see, through hands-on interactive learning, how to innovate and think creatively,” said Andrew Potter, the Chief Academic Officer for NYLF Pathways to STEM. “These students, who have already proven themselves academically, are challenged to work on real-world, student-created projects to bring their studies to life.”

Students who attend the program study engineering, medicine, and forensic science in a journey that introduces them to potential college and career paths. Simulation and role-playing exercises also introduce them to team-building, problem-solving, presentation skills and goal-setting, all of which are essential for success in the 21st century.

“They will scrub in as doctors, build robots and investigate classic ‘whodunit’ crimes,” Potter said. “Each experience is designed to tap into a student’s natural curiosity. For many, this is the beginning of a lifelong passion for a special area of interest.”

For more information about the National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathways to STEM, visit www.envisionexperience.com/Pathways.