The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Boeing Scholars Academy is a free, year-round academic enrichment program that enables access and exposure to STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)—as well as architecture, business, and psychology—for up to 100 high-achieving rising juniors and seniors per year from Chicago-area high schools. The Academy, which is non-residential, takes place on IIT’s Main Campus, and provides four weeks of intensive, project-based summer programming; periodic workshops, seminars, and field trips during the school year; college and career advising; and leadership skills training and student grant competitions.
Founded in 2011, the IIT Boeing Scholars Academy is generously supported by a grant from the Boeing Company.
The 2011-12 cohort of Scholars reflects the broad diversity of Chicago-area youth:
- 54% were from a population underrepresented in STEM fields
- 53% were female
- 36% were first-generation college
- 77% attended a Chicago Public School or affiliated charter (26 schools represented)
At the End-of-Year Banquet, members of ROOTS (Rising Over Obstacles Together through STEM) present their Leadership Grant Project, a STEM-focused afterschool program for middle school students. Credit: Dan Kasberger.
Every Scholar brings to the program a unique and rich set of experiences, skills, and interests, and through our program structure and curricular framework we maximize opportunities for Scholars to learn from each other and establish new networks. In all of our programming, we intend to expand “the four C” of 21st Century Learning beyond creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking to include a most important fifth “C” — community.
To learn about becoming a Project mentor click below
http://blogs.iit.edu/boeing_scholars/getinvolved/become-a-project-mentor/
