PHOTOS: East Harlem School Transformed Into Interactive Technology Playground

Students at Harlem's PS 171 were treated to a day of fun, immersive technology experiences.

Brendan Krisel, Patch Staff

Posted Mon, Nov 7, 2016 at 7:18 pm ET|Updated Mon, Nov 7, 2016 at 7:23 pm ET

EAST HARLEM, NY — Students at PS 171 Patrick Henry in East Harlem were treated to a day of fun, immersive activities featuring high-tech gadgets when Verizon Innovative Learning visited their school on Oct. 29. But the day wasn't all fun and games, it also proved to be inspirational.

Speakers from the tech industry came to lecture students on the growing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries, according to a press release. Speakers included tech entrepreneurs Clarence Wooten and Jaylen D. Bledsoe, and robotics competitors Cynthia Erenas and Jason Mares, according to a press release.

And it didn't hurt that at the end of the day students were gifted a personal mobile device to use at home and school for two years.

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"With the recent growth in STEM-skilled jobs, and the underrepresentation of minorities in these fields, it’s clear we need to do more to level the playing field for students from minority and underserved communities," read a press release from Verizon Innovative Learning.

Check out photos of the event courtesy of Getty Images for Verizon: