As the summer comes to a close, we’re thrilled to reflect on the inspiring experiences our STEAMBassadors had throughout our summer programs. This year’s Southside STEAM Scholars initiative, led by Northwestern University's STEAMBassador Initiative, brought hands-on STEM education and mentorship to over 250 youth across Chicago. 

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The summer culminated in a vibrant showcase at the DuSable Black History Museum, where students had an opportunity to present their projects, share their journeys, and celebrate their hard work with friends, family, and community members. 

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Program Spotlights

Throughout the summer, students engaged in programs designed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Here’s a look at the incredible work they did:

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Digital Youth Divas

With a focus on middle school girls from non-dominant communities, Digital Youth Divas encouraged young women to get hands-on with engineering and computer science. The 15 STEAMbassadors who facilitated this program helped inspire the next generation of female engineers and innovators.

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"This program helped me improve my leadership skills. Working with the girls, I was able to learn how to connect with them, and these are skills I will take into the future" — Arden, STEAMBassador

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MAPSCorps

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This public health research and data science program empowered youth (ages 14-16) to conduct public health research using a unique STEAM approach that combines scientific inquiry with creative exercises. With over 100 students in paid positions, the MAPSCorps program showed how STEAM could intersect with real-world issues. Guided by our STEAMBassadors, mappers were taught to identify community assets, conduct field research, and generate data that can shape community perceptions and inform local planning.

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STEAM Adventures

Pop-up experiences at schools and libraries brought STEAM learning directly to youth. From hands-on experiments to creative problem-solving activities, elementary and middle school students had the chance to explore science and technology in fun and interactive ways.

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"I really wanted to give back to the youth and learn more about my city. I was in similar programs growing up to learn about engineering, so being able to provide something similar to black and brown youth was very enriching!" — Joshua, STEAMBassador

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MyCHI.MyFuture

This six-week summer program gave 20 young adults practical experience in technology and project management. Students (ages 16-24) were hired to supported tech platform operations for MCMF, data collection using the Freeze Frame app, and media content creation.

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Tree Lab (AI)

This summer, STEAMBassadors worked with 25 high school students to explore the ethical implications of AI, learning how technology influences areas like education, surveillance, and social media. This cutting-edge program offered an exciting opportunity for students to debate and understand how these emerging technologies affect our world.

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STEAM Challenge Club

This year’s STEAM Challenge Club immersed high school students in computer science. With mentorship from STEAMbassadors, students developed skills that will serve them in the future through hands-on activities in music production, data analytics, sports analytics, and artificial intelligence.

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"Something I learned this summer, is the importance of having these programs available throughout the city. I realized I never had these opportunities in high school, It’s really something special being able to teach students what I wish I had. It’s nice to see kids enjoy science, outside of the forced schoolwork." — Sadie, STEAMBassador

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The Summer Showcase at DuSable Black History Museum

Our Summer Showcase at the DuSable Black History Museum was a celebration of creativity and community. Students, STEAMbassadors, and partners gathered to exhibit their summer projects, ranging from AI explorations to public health research, showcasing what they had accomplished over the summer. The event was filled with energy as families and community members witnessed firsthand the incredible growth and learning that took place. As part of the celebration, Dr. Evans was recognized as the event’s keynote speaker. Dr. Evans is a Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology) and the Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research at the Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She is also a Research Career Scientist with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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Looking Ahead

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As we reflect on the impact of this summer, it’s clear that the Southside STEAM Scholars Initiative has not only sparked interest in STEAM careers but also built a stronger sense of community. We’re looking forward to next summer’s programs and the new opportunities we’ll create for our students to learn, grow, and lead.

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Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build pathways for youth empowerment and innovation through STEAM education!

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