Kelly Barnicle

WGN Assignment Editor Kelly Barnicle shares stories from her time working on our newsroom’s assignment desk. Watch What a Day, weekdays at 3pm in the WGN+ app and at wgntv.com/live.

CHICAGO — A local family of educators and mechanical engineers is helping students of all ages with an innovative approach through their foundation. Steve and Sheila Conner said when their son Stone expressed his extreme dislike for middle school, they knew they had to take action and began asking him about his interests. By visiting car museums and other real-world experiences, the Conner’s were able to capture their son’s attention. But it also left the pair with a desire to help other students.

CHICAGO — Steve and Sheila Conner say when their son, Stone, expressed his extreme dislike for middle school, they knew they had to take action and began asking him about his interests. Turns out the Connors’ son had an interest in cars, robots and anything speed-driven. “So we created a program around him that we would investigate ourselves,” Steve Connor said. By visiting car museums and other real world experiences, the Conners were able to capture their son’s attention.