BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Young students in Buffalo are applying classroom lessons in the real world, demonstrating how education can have a direct impact on our community's future.
These bright young minds have applied what they learned in subjects like science and math to create their bikes, just in time for summer vacation.
The "Build-a-Bike" graduation ceremony at the Martha P. Mitchell Community Center on Oakmont Avenue celebrated these young achievers who are now riding away with knowledge and new wheels they built themselves.
WATCH: 'Apply it to everyday life': Buffalo students build their own bikes while learning STEAM concepts
Students unveiled bikes they constructed during a four-week program where they learned engineering, physics and the technical aspects of what makes a bike work. This hands-on approach to STEAM education equips our community's children with practical skills they can utilize throughout their lives.
"We could ride a bike now without having to ask our parents when they do it wrong and don't put the seat on wrong," Bryson, one of the program graduates, shared.
"My favorite part was building a bike," Tytus, another graduate, shared. "I learned how to build a bike. I learned the parts and I learned a couple of tools and stuff."
Simone Ragland, CEO and founder of Families Aimed Towards Excellence (FATE), explained how the STEAM program taught kids about bike technology.
"They learned about all the parts of a bike," Ragland said. "They learned the safety...and why it's so important that when you construct the bike, you have to make sure all parts are put together properly. They learned about force, dynamics, friction."
The program also focused on applying math and science concepts to everyday situations.
"When they use that pump, they have to do measurement to put that air in the tire," Ragland said. "So, it's about application. It's one thing to learn the science, the math, the technology. It's another thing to apply it to everyday life."
Mark Glasgow, Engagement and Strategic Insights Director at Clementine Gold Group, highlighted the social justice aspects of the initiative.
"Trying to address some of those social justice issues when it comes to access and equity to clean mobility, those forms of transportation, such as biking, electric vehicles and walking accessibility in our neighborhoods," Glasgow said.
Building these bikes also allowed the students to learn about bike safety and cycling fundamentals.
"We wanted to just put on a program for the youth of the East Side that aligned with one of the most prominent forms of clean mobility in Buffalo, which is bicycling," Glasgow said.
The program was in collaboration with Clean Mobility Buffalo, Families Aimed Towards Excellence (FATE) with Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation, Clementine Gold Group and GObike Buffalo.
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