WASHINGTON — This summer, Luke Baker, of Washington, will join outstanding middle school students from across the nation who are taking part in a unique academic and career oriented development experience, National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Explore STEM, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

NYLF: Explore STEM, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), is one of the Envision by WorldStrides family of programs that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.

The son of Kristen and Jason Baker, Luke is in the 6th grade at Prescott Memorial School, in Washington, and was nominated for the program by his teacher, James Freyenhagen. By all accounts Luke has excelled in his academic achievements throughout his elementary school years, and has demonstrated a willingness and ability to assist younger students at his school.

A voracious reader and well-rounded student, Luke has volunteered at the Gibbs Library, in Washington, has been enrolled for several years at the Midcoast Music Academy with a focus on drums, and plays organized hockey at the Midcoast Recreation Center and baseball in the Medomak Valley Little League.

Luke’s grandparents are Janet and Gordon Page of Owls Head, and Wanda and the late Merritt Collamore of Waldoboro.

From an early age, Luke has had an interest in everything from raising his chickens and studying the railroad industry, to building complex Lego models and using computer aided design software for his 3-D printer projects. His current aspiration is to learn about mechanical and civil engineering. He’ll attend the Medomak Middle School in the upcoming school year.

Luke has expressed excitement to have been nominated and to be accepted to participate in NYLF: Explore STEM, as it will expose him to various fields, including medical and engineering. Following a key-note presentation by a NASA astronaut early in the week-long program, the curriculum will provide a setting to collaborate with other students to plan a mission to Mars.

A gofundme page has been set up to help Luke with program expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lukes-pathway-to-stem?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

“As an alumna of Envision myself, I am excited for Luke to meet, work, and collaborate with other high-aspiring students from across the country,” said Amanda Freitag Thomas, SVP for Envision. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow. Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs. At NYLF: Explore STEM, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in high school, college, and the workplace. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”

For over 35 years, Envision by WorldStrides has empowered extraordinary students to become their best selves through programs that enable them to discover their passion, explore a career, and positively impact their world. In 2018, Envision became part of the WorldStrides family. The largest provider of educational travel and experiences in the United States, WorldStrides works with over 50,000 educators each year to help more than 550,000 students see the world—and themselves—in new ways.

FMI: www.envisionexperience.com