After 11 years of operation Chicago Pre-College Science and Engineering Program (ChiS&E) has grown from a fledgling program, serving a limited number of grades, to include its first class of graduating seniors.  Since launching in 2009, nearly 4,000 students in 270 schools have gone through ChiS&E programs in Chicago area public and charter schools. Now participating seniors are well-positioned for success in the science and engineering fields during their secondary education.  And through its core partnerships, the program has been able to seamlessly transition to a virtual learning model that includes free materials for all its K-12 students.

Over its 10-year history, ChiS&E has cultivated an impressive list of program partners that have been instrumental in pivoting the program’s learning model during the COVID-19 pandemic, inclusive of providing free materials. Contributing to the effort have been the University of Illinois Urbana, University of Chicago School of Molecular Engineering, Riverbend Mathematics Center (South Bend), the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research at Texas State University, and Chicago Public Schools.  Institutional partners include Boeing Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Albert Pick Jr. Fund, and a host of individual donors.  The curriculum has a focus on hands-on learning and student testimonials.  Additionally, beginning in elementary school there is a heavy concentration on Algebra.  Participation in the program is free and students and parents may visit https://chiprep.org/contact-chise/ to learn more or to donate to the program.