We are a STEM learning lab dedicated to expanding access to quality STEM programming for our southside youth and communities.

STEM STEAM Project Interactive Mural High School Students Chicago Public Schools Education

About Us

  • Our mission is to expand access to quality STEM programming for our southside youth and communities. 


    We envision a future in which our southside communities have greater access to opportunities in STEM, paving the way for a more robust STEM workforce that fuels innovation and the advancement of our society.

  • Our approach consists of engaging our entire ecosySTEM, encompassing key stakeholders, to establish a strong network that promotes STEM accessibility and vitality in our communities.

    Community: Engage our local communities, organizations, and stakeholders including youth, to co-create meaningful STEM initiatives that meet the needs and interests of our southside.  

    Schools: Collaborate with schools to provide additional opportunities for students to engage in STEM enrichment.  

    Families: Support families by creating opportunities for family STEM engagement through events, activities and resources that will enhance youth STEM learning.  

    Educators: Increase educator capacity and understanding of STEM by identifying and developing pathways for professional learning.   

    Partners: Develop strong partnerships with CBO’s that will bring quality STEM programming to our communities. Engage corporate partners  to sponsor programs through their corporate social responsibility commitment.

    Youth: Engage our youth in conversations that uplifts their voices and empowers them in the pursuit of our mission.

Our Programs

  • Southside STEM Station's school-time programming offers local middle schools and high schools a choice of 6 different STEAM pathways. Our in-house built curriculum is rooted in Design Thinking through a Project Based Learning (PBL) approach and aligns to NGSS, CCSS, CSTA and ISTA state standards.​

    ​This is a hands-on, cross-curricular approach to learning through a real-world context that promotes higher cognitive skills such as problem solving and critical thinking as well as soft skills such as collaboration, creativity and communication.

    This programming is free to schools, but schools must commit to the full length of the program (5-10 sessions) dependent on the pathway chosen.​

    Our 6 STEAM Pathways offered are:

    • Forensics

    • Microelectronics and Coding

    • Assistive Design with 3d Printing

    • E-Textiles and Circuits

    • Data Science in Sports

    • STEAM​

  • The Southside STEM Station partners with local STE(A)M organizations to bring their after-school programming to our space. Check our calendar for a list for current/upcoming programs.

    All partners that host programming in our lab are required to offer programming at no charge to families.

  • The Southside STEM Station partners with local STE(A)M organizations to bring summer programming to our space. We have a wide array of opportunities for youth to join programs. Check our calendar for a list for current/upcoming programs.

    All partners that host programming in our lab are required to offer programming at no charge to families.

  • We offer family STEM engagement events several times per year. Be on the look out in our calendar for our next family event.

  • Beggining Fall 2025, we will be hosting a STEAM competition for southside students. More details to come soon!

  • Throughout the year we will partner with other organizations and STEM professionals to have them share with our communities their knowledge and experiences in the fields of STEM.

  • We are actively looking for partnerships with local organizations/institutions to provide a space to host teacher professional development around STEM integration in the classroom.

We provide a variety of STE(A)M programming opportunities for our southside communities, including: 

Program Schedule

Click on the calendar below for more details.

   Join our Mailing List!   

STEM Resources

The spreadsheet linked below has an ongoing list of STEM resources for youth, families, schools, educators and community members. We try to update this with new resources on a regular basis.

  • We are new, please be patient as we build out this resource.

  • Help us out and share some of the STEM resources you utilize bu completing this brief form, so we can add it on to our library.

Our Partners & Sponsors

Support Us

Here are 4 ways you can help support us:

Contact Us

Have questions? Want to learn more?

Please reach out, we look forward to hearing from you!