Sebastien Grey, a tenth grader from Colorado Springs attending Coronado High School, never imagined he’d develop a passion for engineering. That all changed when he joined the AEOP’s Unite program last year. Before joining Unite, he hadn’t participated in any STEM programs, but after hearing about it during pre-collegiate presentations, he knew he had to give it a shot—and it turned out to be a transformative experience.

Unite was Sebastien’s first deep dive into STEM, and it quickly became an adventure. One of his standout moments was building drone frames using everyday household materials. “It was challenging, but it was also a lot of fun. Every day, there was something new to tackle, and that kept me excited,” Sebastien shared.

Before joining Unite, he had a general idea of what engineering was but didn’t know the range of possibilities within the field. Through hands-on projects, workshops, and guidance from the program staff, Sebastien discovered a love for building and creating. “I learned so much about engineering, and after Unite, I realized how much I enjoyed making things,” he explained. “When I found out about my school’s robotics team I had to join, especially after everything I learned at Unite.” 

Now, Sebastien is excelling in his robotics program and looking forward to competing in competitions throughout the year. 

In addition to the hands-on activities, Unite helped him academically, too. The workshops on writing, speaking, and math kept his skills sharp over the summer, reminding him of the importance of staying focused and prepared.

For Sebastien, the best part of Unite wasn’t just the projects but the sense of community he found. “Even though most of the students didn’t go to my school, we’ve stayed in touch, whether through sporting events or just catching up. We built a connection that’s stuck with us.”

When asked what he’d tell other students considering Unite, Sebastien didn’t hesitate. “Just go for it. Even if you’re not sure about engineering, the program gives you a chance to explore and connect with others. It’s an incredible experience.”

Vicky Taylor, the site director for Unite in Colorado Springs, was equally enthusiastic about this year’s cohort. “We had students from all across the city, and they really came together as a group. What’s great is that, being part of the pre-collegiate program, they’ll continue seeing each other during the school year, which strengthens those bonds.”

From field trips to designing speakers and even golf courses, Unite kept Sebastien and his peers engaged throughout the summer. Now, with his robotics competitions ahead, Sebastien is excited to apply what he’s learned and continue exploring the world of engineering.