Partnerships boost STEM jobs in Chicago
Posted on December 2, 2018
Partnerships with local schools are helping to create more STEM jobs in Chicago.
Chicago Public Schools announced the three industry partners supporting Solorio Academy, Crane Medical, and Infinity Math and Science Academy – the district’s new Early College STEM Schools (ECSS) that were announced this spring.
Through Early College STEM programming, students get access to industry expertise, while learning a 21st Century STEM Curriculum, increasing opportunities to earn college credit, internship experiences, and working toward an associate degree while still in high school.
Early College STEM schools leverage external partnerships to prepare students for the technology careers of the future; the following industry partners have newly paired, or expanded their partnership, with the following schools:
- Crane Medical Preparatory High School – Rush University Medical Center
- Infinity Math, Science, and Technology High School – Verizon
- Solorio Academy High School – Salesforce.org
“STEM programs in our neighborhood schools provide students with the opportunity to build 21st century skills today that help them succeed in college and career,” said Mayor Emanuel. “These industry partnerships help provide our students both with the academic foundation and the critical real-world experiences necessary to secure the jobs of tomorrow.”
Industry partnerships provide both support for students with a connection between classroom learning and the real world. The partners also provide mentorship programming, internships, and other work-based experiences for students. Through these unique programs, students will graduate prepared to explore careers in science and technology and with early college and career credentials that give them a head-start on their college degree.
“A true holistic education combines classroom experiences with real-life learning opportunities to help prepare our students for life after high school, which epitomizes the Early College STEM experience at CPS,” said CPS CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson. “We will continue to prepare students for the jobs of the future by investing in STEM education and we are grateful to our industry and higher education partners for providing unique opportunities for our students to gain real-world experience in growing fields.”
Salesforce.org is partnering with Solorio Academy High School to provide holistic support of the school and its students, which includes providing new technology, academic acceleration and teacher training. In addition to supporting new infrastructure and human capital at the school, the Salesforce team will work with students through employee engagement.