Harnessing energy with STEM lessons in Peoria after-school program [Video]

PEORIA (25News Now) – Thursday, young minds were up-and-coming engineers for an afternoon learning how simple tools can make complex machines.

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, several first- and fifth-graders meet at Rising Sun Christian Church at 4310 Charter Oak Road in Peoria as a part of the Clipped Wing Global Initiative after-school program. There, founder and President Gigi Hamilton Gibson and Bradley students with America Reads help the kids with homework and tutor them.

It’s free and sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Clipped Wing is meant to help children who have experienced some sort of trauma or a significant setback.

“We like for students to know, that even though you’ve been wounded and damaged, you can still fly,” Hamilton Gibson said. “More than that, we’re going to teach you how to soar.”

Hamilton Gibson said they get the homework finished so parents don’t have to worry about …