Exelon Foundation STEM Academies Wrap in Chicago, Connecting 100+ Students to Energy Careers

(Pictured left to right) Chiamaka Ugochukwu-Oak Lawn of Harold L. Richards High School, Siri Chennareddy-Rockford of Auburn High School, Smruti Dhage-Lake Villa of Lakes Community High School and Miranda Sievertson-Elk Grove Village of James B. Conant High School
(Pictured left to right) Chiamaka Ugochukwu-Oak Lawn of Harold L. Richards High School, Siri Chennareddy-Rockford of Auburn High School, Smruti Dhage-Lake Villa of Lakes Community High School and Miranda Sievertson-Elk Grove Village of James B. Conant High School

Exelon Foundation STEM Academies Wrap in Chicago, Connecting 100+ Students to Energy Careers

 

CHICAGO  The Exelon Foundation STEM Academy for Girls, in conjunction with the Boys to STEM Academy, concluded today in Chicago, bringing together more than 100 Chicago-area high school students for a week of hands-on STEM learning, mentorship and career exploration focused on the future of the energy industry.


Held June 21-26 at DePaul University and the ComEd Training Center, the residential academies connected students with engineers, scientists and technical professionals from Exelon and its operating companies.

 

Throughout the week, participants explored real-world energy challenges while building teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills designed to prepare them for future STEM careers.

Students participated in interactive activities showing how science, technology, engineering and math are applied across the energy sector, including:

•             Building parallel and series electrical circuits

•             Exploring the greenhouse effect through laboratory experiments

•             Designing and testing wind turbine blades

•             Assembling solar panel arrays

•             Building microgrids

•             Competing in resilience-based energy distribution simulations

Participants also worked in teams on a real-world energy and sustainability challenge, refining their ideas with support from Exelon mentors during office hours, networking events and leadership sessions before presenting to a panel of judges at Friday’s closing ceremony. Their final projects demonstrated innovative approaches to today's energy and climate challenges, including concepts to protect critical electrical infrastructure and improve energy efficiency.

 

The week also included field experience at the ComEd Training Center, where students observed utility operations and engaged with engineers and technical professionals to learn more about the technologies, skills and workforce powering northern Illinois.

 

The Exelon Foundation STEM Academy and Boys to STEM Academy are designed to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders by giving students meaningful exposure to energy careers while helping them build the technical, leadership and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce.

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