At Sawyer we have the privilege of working with hundreds of inspiring educators around the country. The curricula always foster enriching atmospheres for children of all ages to discover their love of learning and grow as people.

We got the opportunity to chat with Peter Seo, co-founder and CEO of NORY, which provides STEM classes and camps to children in NYC and Boston. Their programs help children learn to design the future, rather than follow it. We spoke about the benefits of out-of-school enrichment activities, inspiring moments in and out of the classroom, and so much more.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! I’d love to hear a bit more about you and why you started your business.

Hi, I’m Peter - dad and CEO of NORY. We run the largest STEM camps in NYC, serving 4,000+ children ages 3-12 annually, where kids build hands-on robotic and engineering inventions. Our mission is to nurture the next generation of purposeful changemakers.

I started NORY as a dad-preneur when my son was 5, after my wife and I asked ourselves what kind of life we wanted him to live. We realized we wanted him to grow up excited to create a positive impact - a life we call that of a purposeful changemaker. When we worked backward to identify the skills needed for that life, we landed not on academics, but on three core soft skills: resilience, inquisitiveness, and empathy.

That belief became the foundation of NORY. We use STEM not as an end goal, but as a powerful vehicle to develop these skills - encouraging children to ask big questions, build and test ideas, iterate through failure, and invent solutions that help others. My personal mission is to build NORY as a future education lab - constantly exploring the most effective ways to help children develop the soft skills they’ll need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Can you describe an inspiring moment you’ve had as an educator?  

One of my most inspiring moments as an educator is when I hear children confidently say, “We never give up!” Whenever I visit our camps, I see children trying over and over again to create their own original solutions - testing, iterating, and celebrating awesome mistakes. Watching their eyes light up as they eagerly try again is deeply fulfilling, because it means we’re helping them build resilience - one of the most important skills they’ll need in the next generation. Here’s a short excerpt from a camper interview that stuck with me for a while.

Another deeply inspiring moment came during a week we called "Inventing for Good", when children learned about the blind community and designed robotic solutions to help others. Because this took place during COVID, the program ran virtually, and one parent watched the entire experience from home. After the week ended, she sent a long message sharing how her child realized they could use their skills to help others, reminding me that our work builds empathy, leadership, and lasting impact far beyond the classroom.

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching children?  

The most rewarding part of teaching children is knowing we’re at a pivotal moment in history, where technology and AI are exponentially empowering the next generation. Being able to prepare children with foundational soft skills - like resilience, curiosity, and empathy - so they can thrive in this resource-rich world and use their abilities to create positive impact is incredibly fulfilling. Helping them begin their journey as purposeful changemakers is what makes this work so meaningful to me.

What’s one time a child surprised you and made your day?

In our first year of summer camp, there was a three-year-old who didn’t speak any English and cried every day for two weeks as he adjusted. I spent much of that time simply holding him and helping him feel safe. By the end of the summer, he had opened up, started speaking English, and formed deep connections with our team. Last summer, I unexpectedly met him again - now confident, fluent, and returning to camp every year - which was a powerful reminder of how care, patience, and trust can create lasting impact in a child’s life.

On a similar note, what’s the funniest thing a child has done in your class?

Rather than one specific moment, it’s often the children - especially the three-year-olds—who are unintentionally hilarious. Their adorable mistakes, earnest questions, and completely carefree way of “just vibing” in the classroom never fail to make me laugh. Watching them exist so fully in the moment is endlessly joyful.

Why is after school/extracurricular enrichment and camp so important for children?  

Enrichment programs open a powerful window of inspiration, helping children discover new abilities and build confidence beyond the classroom. Immersive experiences allow them to face challenges, practice resilience, and shift how they view learning and problem-solving. At NORY, we’re deeply intentional about creating these sparks of inspiration and partnering with families to support holistic growth.

How do you think children can discover their passions when they’re not in school or your programs?

Children discover their passions through purposeful play - being exposed to new environments, challenges, and immersive experiences. While unstructured play is valuable, intentionally trying different activities helps children learn what excites them and how to adapt. That’s why we use an interdisciplinary approach, connecting STEM with art, movement, and social sciences, so children can explore broadly and discover what truly draws them in.