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A new education facility in southeast Raleigh dedicated to teaching math and science to economically disadvantaged kids is gaining momentum.

The Daniel Center for Math and Science opened in March with no one enrolled.
Now, more than three months later, eager students are quickly filling up the 32 available seats and passionate teachers are leading the class.

The center knows a big factor in the students excelling is the teachers they employ.
Shannon Aycock has been teaching math and science for almost a decade.

"These kids are our future. If everyone is given the same opportunity to learn, then they can grow,” said Aycock.

Willard Jones, 10, loves his hoops. But even as a rising fifth grader, he knows to be successful in sports you need the know your numbers.

“If you don't learn a lot about math and science, you won't know a lot about what to do,” said Jones. “Especially when you are a football or basketball player because it takes math to do the plays and learn.”

He's one of a dozen students that now fill the Daniel Center for Math and Science. The new program doubles as a childcare facility, so parents can use childcare vouchers to cover the cost. NC State students act as mentors and outdoor activities help to keep the juices flowing in these young minds.

“What we're finding is what we thought. parents are very concerned about their children, their future,” said Kirby Jones, the executive director of the center. “They're very interested in wanting their children to excel as all parents are.”

Program Coordinator Princess Vines caters each lesson to the different development levels of each student.

"Their development levels are so diverse. There's so much we can do with them. There's so much they can learn from science, math and technology,” said Vines.

Jones wishes they could help more students, "Our misfortune is that we cannot serve the great need. We're doing what we can and we want to make a tangible difference in the lives of as many families and children as possible.”