From Vision to Practice: Cultivating Everyday Brilliance in STEM

We believe the future of STEM (remember, that's science, technology, engineering, and math) begins with how students feel in the classroom today. Okay, imagine STEM is like building amazing things, like robots or discovering cool stuff about space. We think that if kids feel happy and important in their science and math classes now, they'll become awesome STEM people later. It's like planting a seed: if you take good care of it, it will grow big and strong. Last week, we talked about how remembering where you come from, your family stories and traditions, can make learning about science and math even more interesting. This week, we're going to see how teachers help you feel happy and important in class every day. We'll also see how learning cool things now can help you when you go to college and even when you get a job later on. It's all connected.

STEM That Reflects the Real World

Imagine learning about science and math by looking at the world around you. In our classrooms, we don't just learn about science and math as something separate from who you are. It's actually a part of you. For example, some students might design windmills that look like the buildings in their neighborhoods. Others might create computer programs using the way people talk in their town. This helps them see that science and math aren't just tricky ideas in a book. They're tools that real people use to solve real problems!

We did something really cool recently with sixth graders. They were learning about how things fly. They studied how airplanes work, but they also looked at cool kites from West Africa that people have made for a long time. Then, they built their own kite models and tested them in a park near their homes. Those kites weren't just science projects; they were like stories that connected the past with new ideas about building things.

Disrupting the Myth of ‘Innate Brilliance’

We know our work doesn’t stop at middle or high school. Have you ever heard someone say that some people are just born really smart at science and math, and others aren't? That's a myth, and it's not true!

Sometimes, when students go to college, they might think that you have to be naturally brilliant to be good at science and math. But guess what? That idea makes some students, especially those who haven't done a lot of science and math before, think that STEM isn't for them. They might think they're not the "smart type" for those subjects and stop trying even before they start. This is especially true for students who might not have had the same chances as others in science and math because of their background or because of unfair ideas about who is "good" at these things.

But at Kente Academy, we start showing everyone from the very beginning that anyone can be great at STEM! It's not about being born with a special brain; it's about learning and working hard. We're breaking down that wrong idea that only some people are naturally smart at science and math.

Everyday Brilliance, Elevated

Instead of just trying to get the right answer fast or remember a bunch of rules, we try to make learning a team effort where everyone is curious and works together. We think that being really good at something isn't about being born with it. It's about growing your skills, like a plant, with fun learning activities, lessons that make you feel good about who you are, and teachers who know you can do amazing things.

For example, one student used to think she wasn't good at science. But then, she made a special cleaning liquid from plants, inspired by what her grandma knew about herbs. Now, she even helps younger students with science. Another group of students built a computer program that helps people learn math in different languages. These amazing things aren't just lucky accidents. They happen when students feel like science and math belong to them, just like anything else they learn.

Teachers as Cultural Curators

Did you know teachers are kind of like treasure hunters? But instead of gold, they help you find cool ideas and ways to be proud of who you are! They don’t just teach from a book. They find smart ways to connect school stuff to your life, your family, and your community.

That means math and science aren’t just hard problems anymore. They’re chances for you to get creative and solve real-world stuff. Like the time you didn’t just study random numbers. You checked out real reports about the water in your neighborhood. You even teamed up with people nearby to learn how to keep your environment clean and safe. See? The things you're learning in school can actually help make your world a better place. How cool is that?

Connecting to College—and Changing It

As our students transition into higher education, they carry a different narrative with them: that STEM is not a measure of inherent genius, but a practice grounded in persistence, passion, and purpose. By partnering with universities that value equity in STEM education, we are working to close the perception gap highlighted by research. Together, we can ensure that students enter college not asking if they belong in STEM, but knowing that they do.

Community as a Catalyst

From mentorship programs with STEM professionals of color to international collaborations with schools across the African diaspora, we are building a web of support that reinforces our students' confidence and cultural grounding.

This month, our students kicked off a virtual exchange with engineering students in Ghana, exploring sustainable solar technology in both urban and rural contexts. It’s more than a science lesson—it’s global citizenship in action.

What’s Next

As the research reminds us, perceptions about intelligence and belonging begin early—and they stick. That’s why we remain committed to reshaping how students experience STEM from their very first science experiment to their college applications.

We are building not just better STEM students but confident, culturally grounded STEM leaders. The kind who will walk onto college campuses already knowing that brilliance isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, every day.