About
We pave the way for the next generation of innovators by providing structured programs which connect Illinois students to industries and companies. Our programs facilitate long term, ongoing mentorship that builds student identity, esteem, and skills in STEM. We are a bridge between the classroom and the real world, helping students engage with STEM in a meaningful way. Through our programs we’ve paired thousands of students and teachers across the state with mentors from around the world in an effort to develop a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline in Illinois.
EIN: 454092094
Our Programs
The STEM Challenge program partners Illinois high schools with some of the state’s most innovative companies, engaging students in long-term, hands-on STEM projects. Students collaborate with employee mentors over 4-6 months, creating solutions to authentic industry problems, while building the self-esteem and skills necessary to envision and pursue a career in STEM.
The Mentor Matching Engine® is a project-based, online platform and program that eliminates the barriers of traditional mentorship, enabling Illinois high school students to connect with industry professionals in a safe environment. With ongoing virtual communication, students have an opportunity to engage in new experiences and build employability skills while being encouraged and guided by professional mentors.
6 weeks, 3 disciplines, one meaningful summer experience. The 6 x 3 Project® recognizes that STEM does not exist in a silo. Each iteration of this program takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining 3 pillars of STEM—from coding, to design thinking, to marketing—into one condensed learning opportunity. Students will leave the 6 x 3 Project with a robust, real world end product and skills needed to be successful in the future workforce.
Teacher Externships are a critical link between the context of industry and the content of a classroom. Over the course of one summer, teachers experience the latest real-world applications of STEM disciplines alongside employee mentors. With this opportunity, educators can better inform their teaching practices and prepare students to enter the STEM talent pipeline after high school, creating lasting partnerships between workplaces and local schools.
Students
Mentors
Teachers
Projects
Program Impact
See how our programs impacted Illinois students last year.
EDUCATION PARTNERS
