Project Exploration hosted its 20th annual Reflection of Knowledge at Cisco Meraki on Thursday, May 16, 2019. This year, the Reflection of Knowledge brought together nearly 50 youth from Sisters4Science, Brothers4Science, and the West Side STEM Learning Center. Each program shared their favorite project from the year, presenting their findings and highlighting the challenges and how they worked through them.
Project Exploration values the connection students make to real STEM experiences. Creating opportunities to expose students to STEM mentors and STEM-related environments has been a hallmark of Project Exploration programs. We always seek opportunities where our students can meet STEM professionals and can take trips to labs, nature centers, and corporations. These experiences build our students ability to see the options available to them if they are interested in STEM fields.
As Project Exploration turns 20, we wish to acknowledge the alumni who have been positively impacted by the program and to offer their perspectives as a means of expressing why we provide the programs that we do. Our core values of equity, authentic and meaningful experiences, and students are at the center of how Project EXploration continues to brings hope and change to generations to come.
Project Exploration connects student experiences through programs, field trips, STEM mentors and in some cases attending a ball! Madison participated in Summer of Science and shares her experience including attending the Museum of Science and Industry’s Columbian Ball!
Juanita did not see herself exploring science or engineering because of her perceived challenge with math. However, through her internship, she was introduced to data analysis and developing spreadsheets. Her ability to tell a story using data boosted her confidence since she now saw math differently.