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STEM Career Prep: Preparing high schoolers for lifelong STEM careers

500+

Chicagoland high school students

95%+

Students from backgrounds under-represented in STEM

100%

Engaging, meaningful STEM experiences

All

Students improve skills for STEM careers

STEM Speaker

The power of STEM Career Prep

STEM Career Prep is a comprehensive four-year program that prepares students in some of Chicagoland’s most under-resourced high schools for STEM careers and life. We believe if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. That’s why we bring corporate mentors into schools — and students into companies. And we bring both together to design STEM-based solutions to our city’s most pressing challenges. STEM Career Prep inspires students to visualize a career in STEM and propels their learning toward the goal of success in college or the job market.  

Illinois Department of Education

STEM Student

If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. That’s why we bring Chicago-area businesses together with our STEM students.

STEM Career Prep benefits our students, community, and STEM industries

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Lumity students

STEM Career Prep participants visualize themselves as STEM professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders

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Young graduates

Our STEM Career Prep graduates pursue college and careers in well paid, in-demand STEM fields

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Real-world projects

The projects our students complete help our communities by bringing fresh perspective and STEM solutions to city-wide challenges

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Chicagoland businesses

Local businesses gain from STEM Career Prep’s next generation of STEM leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals — most who are from backgrounds currently under-represented in STEM

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Our corporate partners

Our partners gain access to meaningful, fun employee volunteer opportunities — where STEM professionals inspire youth and find inspiration in return

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The STEM industry

STEM businesses gain the opportunity to build the next generation of STEM leaders and professionals

STEM Career Prep program components


Freshman

  • checkSTEM Talks
  • checkCareer site visit or one day challenge
  • checkCareer readiness lessons
  • checkReal world project
  • checkAfter school programs
  • checkHomework tutoring
  • checkSummer STEM camp
  • checkFamily engagement events

Sophomore

  • checkSTEM Talks
  • checkCareer site visit
  • checkOne day challenge
  • checkCareer readiness
  • checkReal world project & STEM fair
  • checkAfter school programs
  • checkHomework & SAT tutoring
  • checkSummer STEM camp
  • checkFamily engagement events

Junior

  • checkSTEM Talks
  • checkCareer site visit
  • checkJob shadowing
  • checkPreparation for college or job applications
  • checkTutoring
  • checkDraft post-graduation plan
  • checkStudent-based enterprise
  • checkSummer internships
  • checkFamily engagement events

Senior

  • checkSTEM Talks
  • checkJob shadowing
  • checkCareer site visits
  • checkCareer readiness (resumes, interviewing, networking, dress for success)
  • checkFinalize post-graduation plan
  • checkMentoring
  • checkTutoring and certifications
  • checkFinal capstone project and showcase event
  • checkFamily engagement events
  • checkEmployment placement options for students not pursuing college

Success Story

Lumity student success

Headshot of Principal Anna Pavichevich

“Lumity provides our students with authentic, relevant learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and into your businesses. As a result, student lives are changing. Their futures are changing.”

Principal Anna Pavichevich
Amundsen High School
Headshot of Daood Shah

“Lumity taught me how to create a website and code in HTML and CSS languages, which gave me the foundation to learn other computer languages. It taught me how to build business and project plans, talk to customers, facilitate meetings, communicate through emails, set up contracts, and do presentations. Lumity was there for me as a role model and taught me how to be a professional.”

Daood Shah
Chicago Math & Science Academy graduate

Join other STEM leaders to help the STEM Career Prep program make a difference!

For more information Amber Taylor,

Corporate & Volunteer Relationship Manager at:

STEMWorks

Learn how our post-secondary employment program trains young adults and places them in entry-level STEM positions.

STEM Talks

Share advice and inspire our students by becoming a STEM Talks volunteer. With your help, our students can see the possibilities of a STEM career.

Get Involved

Whether you’re giving a corporate contribution, individual donation, or a few hours of your time, your help impacts our students.