As if our recent Guide to Chicagoland Coding Classes wasn't enough, now we've gone full STEM ahead to bring you a roundup of 20 STEM enrichment programs around Chicago and the metro area. It's full of great options to help your elementary or middle school student build STEM skills in a fun, low-pressure environment that can introduce them to exciting new topics or supplement what they're learning in school. This guide is brought to you by ... [ Read More ]
Coding Classes for Kids around Chicago
Over the years, I've fielded a ton of questions about where to find coding classes for kids, especially around Chicago, my hometown. It's finally here! The providers below offer afterschool and weekend coding classes. Some even offer special 1:1 coaching or mentoring to support your budding programmer. Coding skills are 21st-century job skills. They open the doors to so many opportunities. With code, your child can create games, animations, ... [ Read More ]
Vision Board Workshop!
My life is nothing if not a winding path. Now that I'm in my 50s, I appreciate the twists and turns that have made for a pretty great ride. My latest pivot involves offering workshops that jive with my guiding motto (derived from a long-forgotten source) have fun and learn new things. Scrappy Affirmations Workshops I learned to use a laser cutter when I helped launch mHUB, Chicago's innovation space for physical product entrepreneurs, a few ... [ Read More ]
Winter Break STEM Camps in Chicago 2019
It’s fun to learn things outside of school- there are fewer time constraints and no tests! Those are just some of the reasons winter break camps can be such a treat. Kids can learn computer programming (coding), computer modeling, and even real-world construction in just a few days. We’ve partnered with several of Chicago’s leading STEM education providers to bring you a directory of STEM and maker-themed winter break camps that will keep your ... [ Read More ]
Fall STEM Fun and Themes: November Edition
Whether your family homeschools, supplements with afterschool topics of your own, or you just enjoy learning about the world around you, here are notable STEM themes to run with this autumn! Fall into STEM Fun this November ... [ Read More ]
Private Schools in and around Chicago
If you're a longtime fan of this blog, you know that our family had a lot of school struggles. While I encourage everyone to at least try their public schools, I know they aren't always a fit. We moved our boys to a private school after it became clear that our public school could not meet my son's needs. That's why I put together this Chicago private school guide. It originally appeared on STEM Kids Chicago, and I thought it made sense to share ... [ Read More ]
National Manufacturing Day 2019
It's no secret that I love behind-the-scenes tours. I think it's fascinating to see how things get made. And as we discussed during the recent #STEMchat on STEM at Work in Manufacturing, many people don't have a sense of what a modern manufacturing facility looks like. That's one of the reasons we now have a National Manufacturing Day. It's also one of the reasons I worked with Alcoa Foundation and SkillsUSA earlier this year to clear up ... [ Read More ]