C.J. Bouchard and Joe Pepe, partners who operate 13 Planet Fitness gyms across the Triangle, will open three STEM education-focused campuses in a franchise agreement with Utah-based Zaniac.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Zaniac operates what it describes as campuses in Asheville as well as Massachusetts, California, New York and other states.

“My son has been involved with STEM learning from a young age, and his eagerness inspired me to get more involved in the STEM community,” said Bouchard in a statement. “That’s exactly why I want to bring Zaniac to the area – to offer parents and students alike more opportunities in STEM and grant them greater access to different learning methods and curricula.”

The first campus will open in Cary later this year. Two are planned for 2017.

Zaniac programs include robotics, LEGO, game-based learning, Minecraft, 3D printing and computer programming.

Matthew Pepe, Joe Pepe’s brother, will be the campus operations manager.

“The technological advancements and career opportunities present in our country demand a shift in our educational climate,” said Sidharth Oberoi, Zaniac’s Chief Academic Officer and president, in a statement. “Parents are seeking supplemental learning opportunities for their children that encourage them to develop the critical thinking skills found in STEM concepts. Zaniac campuses harness creativity making it a fun, engaging system for educational enrichment.”

For information about Zaniac, see: http://www.zaniaclearning.com.