Math gets a bad rap. It doesn’t seem as glamorous as a foreign language, and some say it’s even more boring than History. And its sister, Science, isn’t seen much better. But one organization, Fusion, is working to show kids that Math and Science can be fun, even downright exciting.
Fusion started as a free science and mathematics summer program at Cade Chapel M.B. Church for African-American 3rd-5th grade boys in Jackson, Mississippi. As a response to the low graduation rates among black males throughout Mississippi—the population with the lowest graduation rate in the region—the Fusion program inspires young black males to explore the power of Math and Science to their full potential.

In Fusion, students learn through building and kinesthetic hands-on learning—proven to be effective for males. The program enlists local engineers and scientists who volunteer to teach lessons, reinforce the value of completing education, and expose students to good careers in math and science fields. These methods make abstract theories, and the application of math and science, more concrete.
Through grants from the Foundation for the Mid South, the Fusion program was able to extend its services and invite more students to participate for no charge in the summer program.
Students’ hard work is paying off. The program has grown beyond a summer camp and is now year-round, ensuring students participate in state and regional math and science fairs and robotics competitions. The Fusion teams won first place in competitions in two different divisions, placing above other public and private schools known for their high-quality math and science curriculum.
“We are working with our school district to look into expanding this program and its concepts,” said Rev. Reginald Buckley, Cade Chapel’s Executive Pastor. “Parents are telling us their boys are changing their attitudes toward school and learning—that math and science is something that they can do and they enjoy doing.”