Two exciting STEM events are taking place in Chicago this weekend: the Future City competition for middle schoolers and a STEAM-y program for young women around 16-20 from Glass Ceiling.
Chicago Future City Competition will take place at the UIC Student Center.This engineering competition for middle school students asks them to imagine a city of the future and solve a challenge in that city. This year’s theme is transit. Students learn the basics of city planning and management as they design a city using current SimCity software and envision transportation systems that will be practical, sustainable, accessible and safe.
In addition to using software, each team must build a physical model of their city using upcycled materials with a budget of no more than $100. Each team writes a research paper to demonstrate their knowledge of city planning issues.
The regional winner will head to nationals next month, where one team will win $7,500 for their school or after-school program plus a 10-seat academic suite of engineering software from Bentley, and a trip to Space Camp in Hunstville.
I’m heading to national, too. I’ll be live reporting from the Future City in Washington, DC on Sunday February 16 thanks to my work with engineering resource extraordinaire, DiscoverE.
DiscoverE will also once again sponsor the February #STEMchat in honor of Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. Join us on February 19 at 9 PM Eastern for #GirlDay2014.
Chicago’s other event is getting STEAM-y. GlassCeiling.com is sponsoring a program to encourage young women to pursue STEM + Arts. They are hoping to connect with young women to tap into their visions as well as entrepreneurial and creative spirits during a two-hour afternoon event that will include career exploration, networking and a $50 stipend(!). It takes place from 1 to 3 PM at 954 W. Washington Boulevard. Attendees must be registered; click to sign up.
Edited 1/21/14 to add this bit:
There’s also an event for math, science and technology teachers this weekend: iMATHination. Geared toward middle and high school teachers, this year’s retreat-style conference is themed “Shifting Gears” and will involve much discussion of shifting gears to align with Common Core standards.
Like The Maker Mom on Facebook. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Follow us on Pinterest and YouTube. Follow The Maker Mom on Google+.