The Discovery Partners Institute, part of the University of Illinois System, announced its first program for middle school students in partnership with Wilbur Wright College, and with support from Apple and CME Group Foundation. The Digital Explorers Program will expand DPI’s efforts to develop promising and diverse tech talent in Chicago. Computing is the top source of new wages in the United States, and computer science accounts for the majority of new STEM jobs, according to Code.org. The Digital Explorers program will be offered to students in grades six to eight on Saturdays at DPI’s downtown offices across two sessions. Session one will run through Feb. 25 and session two is from April 15 to May 20. The program is free, and transit cards and lunch are provided. Students will develop computer science skills by coding and building a mobile app using Swift Playgrounds on iPad. Students will also take part in team building activities and solve problems with human centered design thinking.  Please contact DPI’s Community Education Unit {communityed@uillinois.edu} for more information.