The Space Explorers Program offers youth from neighborhoods around the University who are underrepresented in STEM a multi-year science enrichment opportunity. The program provides over one-hundred contact hours each year, including weekly laboratories taught on campus and extended thematic science institutes in the winter and summer. This sustained engagement creates the opportunity for youth to become familiar with the University research community and culture of science. It also helps cultivate future scholars by offering a variety of valuable teaching, communication, and teamwork experiences to younger scientists. The program is led by a graduate student in Astronomy and Astrophysics or KICP, who designs and implements the curriculum and leads a team of volunteers that work together to develop and deliver the science institutes.
Each year between 20-30 Chicago Public Schools high-school students are recruited for Space Explorers by the Office of Civic Engagement’s College and Career Readiness Programs based on interest and commitment rather than grades or test scores. Priority is given to students who will be first-generation college students and/or who come from low-income households. Graduates of Space Explorers matriculate in college as science majors at a rate that is 500% better than is predicted by combined national and Chicago Public Schools statistics. Over 50% of Space Explorers graduates choose a STEM-related field of study for their college degree.
Contact
For information about the Space Explorers Program, please contact Dr. Tyler Natoli.