Royer Studios, an award-winning education and entertainment corporation, has launched an innovative program with a grant from the Office of Naval Research that trains, mentors and prepares cadets from the South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy for careers in the science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) workforce.

The “Animate My Action Plan” (AMAP) curriculum was created through a partnership between the National Guard Youth Foundation, the national nonprofit organization that supports the 35 National Guard Youth ChalleNGe programs across the country, and Royer Studios to provide a comprehensive technology-based workforce development program to address STEAM deficiencies in the existing and future labor force. The South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy is the first ChalleNGe program to participate in the three-year curriculum.

“We are pleased to work with Royer Studios to introduce cadets at the South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy to an interactive curriculum through which they can express themselves creatively and develop skill sets that will translate into career paths in the media arts,” said Louis A. Cabrera, National Guard Youth Foundation President. 

"AMAP has given me greater motivation to stay at YCA and do better because it gives me a chance to further my art skills and has shown me different career fields and paths I can take," said Cadet Brian Hunter of South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy.

“By providing an experiential learning program in which students are empowered to explore STEAM-related careers, these young men and women are discovering that they have talents and capabilities beyond what they had imagined,” said Bruce Royer, President of Royer Studios. “Animate My Action Plan expands their prospects of a successful future and gives them the opportunity to develop 21st century skills and habits vital for participation in the new workforce.”

AMAP teaches specialized, technology-based vocational arts training focused on web content development-writing, video, photography, graphics, animation and data management - with an emphasis on developing interest in STEAM - related careers. Goals for the initiative include: 

• Engage at-risk, minority and disadvantaged cadets with experiential STEAM-based learning opportunities, and ultimately to promote attraction to STEAM careers;

• Cultivate the next generation of leaders through enhancement of life skills, workforce skills, and decision making skills;

• Provide comprehensive mentorship support to cadets and help ensure their continued success professionally, academically and personally; and

• Serve as a model STEAM vocational training program to be replicated and administered at other sites and organizations.

Additional ChalleNGe programs participating in the AMAP program will be announced this fall.