Exploring STEM and preparing for High School
Middle school students participate in REACH experiences that focus on developing their learning skills as they get ready for high school. For example, students work collaboratively to solve real-world challenges from the health care field — using robotics to design a solution for medical triage in a disaster, or brainstorming an approach for fighting a disease epidemic.
Vitals for STEM Success is an after-school program for highly motivated middle school students who are interested in STEM or health care careers. Vitals for STEM Success exposes students to different career paths in the field of healthcare, helping them understand the different tracks available and what it takes to get started.
For more information on requesting Vitals after school programming for students in 6th-8th grade at your school or community site, please contact Caroline Kerr at [email protected].
Future Ready Learning Lab is an enrichment elective incorporated into the school day at select West Side elementary schools. The Future Ready Learning Lab provides targeted lessons to support science enrichment, career exploration, social emotional learning, planning for high school and college. A combination of classroom instruction, field trips, career panels, research projects and extracurricular activities creates an immersive experience. The ultimate goal is to spark deeper interest in STEM/healthcare careers and increase educational attainment.
For more information on requesting the Future Ready Learning Lab enrichment program for students in 6th-8th grade at your school, please contact Caroline Kerr at [email protected].
HOSA Jr.
HOSA Jr. – Future Health Professionals is an after-school elective dedicated to connecting students with their peers and have the chance to compete against other schools to test their skills and knowledge in categories like public speaking, health post creation, nutrition and more.
The student application deadline has closed for the 2024-2025 school year. Please check back in August 2025 for information about applying for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Throughout the journey of unlocking your potential, you will find you have gained a sense of pride and self-confidence. And every negative thought you had was just a mild inconvenience. So, what’s stopping you from doing just that?
London Sims, HOSA JR. chapter president, Future Ready Learning Labs participant, Dett Elementary student
Nothing and no one.”
REACH FOR IT aims to increase the number of low- to moderate-income Black and Latinx youth who are meeting key academic and workforce readiness benchmarks to advance to the next level of STEM education and/or enter the workforce with the skills, experience, and networking connections to succeed in IT careers. This program hopes to diversify the healthcare and IT sector and provide more Black and Latinx youth in Chicago with access to family-sustaining careers.