STARR Community Services Provides Pathways to STEAM
STARR Community Services Provides Pathways to STEAM
By Tia Carol Jones
STARR Community Services International has been preparing youth to get jobs that have the potential to raise household incomes since it began in 2020.
Katrina Adams is Executive Director of STARR Community Services International, Inc. Adams served for AmeriCorps and it is where she became interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). She is dedicated to positioning herself to really help her community get prepared for the future. STARR stands for striving to achieve righteous realities. Adams said that no matter what a person’s race, religious beliefs or economic background, they want to be righteous and want great karma to come back to them.
Adams said STARR Community Services was founded because there was a lack of affordable STEAM and STEM programs in underserved communities. The organization provides out of school programs for students beginning in pre-kindergarten. With STEAM into the Future, students learn how to code through a robotics program. The students also engage in the performing arts and learn effective communication. STARR Community Services also has an astronomy program where students learn about astronomy and astrophysics, which is a partnership between the organization and the University of Chicago. The students attend lectures from astronomers and astrophysicists and are able to look through telescopes.
STARR Community Services’ STEAMAGANZA event engages the community and honors the agents – the students -- who participate in the program by showcasing their accomplishments. During that event, STARR also informs the community about the importance of STEAM.
“You can’t expect the students to do good and know about jobs of the future if their parents don’t know,” Adams said.
The organization also provides opportunities for young people to engage in science experiments. Adams said that the first time a student learns about chemistry shouldn’t be in a high school chemistry class, they should be exposed to it much earlier. STARR Community Services provides pathways to exposure to all elements of STEAM.
Adams said that the parents whose children participate in the program tell her that the young people are excited to attend the programs and events every week. The parents like that the programs are free. She said the organization is providing opportunities and creating exposure that are usually not given to the Black and brown students in the community. Adams said that the field trips, events and programs enable the children to come into a safe space and network with people. She said that the opportunity to prepare the youth and the community is a good thing.
STARR Community Services also has robotics teams in Lagos, Nigeria. Adams said that sometimes there are opportunities to engage with those teams via Skype. The organization is also hosting an event with students from the University in Singapore during the summer. Twenty-five students will come to Chicago to do an urban gardening project. Adams said she wants to see young people expand their horizons and engage with people across the world. During the summer, STARR Community Services is partnering with Foster Park, located at 1440 W. 84th St., to host programs.
“We’re just all about exposure. That exposure really can take you to places, it’ll really open up your horizons and help you see things that you may not normally see in your community,” Adams said.
STARR Community Services is also looking for volunteers. For more information about STARR community services, visit starrcs.org, or you can email info@starrcs.org.
Latest Stories
- When the Heat and Storms Come, Lies Will Not Save Us
- Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer's: A Journey Through Change
- DIVERSE COALITION OF CHICAGO LEADERS AND FANS OF RENOWN BLACK PIANIST TO COALESCE THEIR TALENTS AND NETWORKS IN HOPE OF FINDING A KIDNEY DONOR
- United African Organization Offers a Platform for Meaningful Dialogue and Community Connection
- Artist Wants To Make Others Feel Seen Through Work
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
