From Argonne National Laboratory. See their website for complete details.

The Argonne Education Teen Advisory Council (ATAC) is an opportunity for young people to strengthen the impact of Argonne’s educational programs by providing feedback on current and future activities. While the ATAC is not a hands-on STEM program, as a member, you’ll have access to STEM professionals and resources that align with your interests in a variety of fields. You’ll also have the opportunity to virtually learn what it’s like to work at a United States Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory.

Membership on the ATAC is a commitment that requires you to contribute your time, energy, and ideas for the council. We will meet virtually every other Thursday from 4-5pm. This council will run from mid-October through May 2022.

Membership is by application. In addition to this application, we require 1 recommendation from a teacher or other adult (such as employer or educator from an out-of-school activity). A committee of Argonne Education staff will select candidates to interview. Application deadline is October 1, 2021. All applicants will be notified of decisions by October 15, 2021.

Calling all kids with a concern for our climate - we need a logo for the 2022 Kids Climate Summit scheduled for Spring 2022! This year's theme is Make Some Noise! 

More Details

Submission deadline: September 27, 2021

IMSA (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy) STEM Leagues are mostly asynchronous courses designed around a hot topic in STEM, and may include a book read, documentaries/TED Talks, case studies, and other source or research material, with a culminating chat with an author or expert in the field.

IMSA STEM League received the 2020 Innovative Student Program of the year award from the National Consortium Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS).

STEM League: Genetics (9/13-12/3)

Grades 8-11

This 12- week, mostly asynchronous course is intended for motivated, independent learners who are interested in taking a closer look at the recent developments in the field of genetics, with a special emphasis on gene therapy and gene editing. The ethical considerations of these powerful tools will also be considered. A variety of media sources such as readings, videos, and online tools will be explored, evaluated, and discussed. Over the course of this program, we will read The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It, a narrative nonfiction book by Dr. Ricki Lewis, a geneticist, science writer, and educator. The course will culminate in a live, online, interactive session with Dr. Lewis. The time commitment is roughly 3-5 hours per week.

STEM League: Ethics of STEM (9/13-11/5)

Grades 7-10

In this 8-week online course, participants will be challenged to try and answer a few of the top quandaries of 21st century STEM: 1) Should humans try to geoengineer (a.k.a. climate engineer) the Earth?, 2) Is it okay to use animals in scientific research?, and 3) Are the potential benefits of conducting gain-of-function research worth the inherent risks that it comes with? Students will study curated resources (readings, videos, and thought-provoking lectures) to help inform them about the science underlying the topic at hand, so they are able to make an informed opinion on the issue. While most of the coursework can be accomplished asynchronously (i.e. according to the student’s own schedule) there will also be opportunities for weekly discussions/debates with fellow classmates and the instructor from IMSA’s Center for Teaching and Learning. The time commitment is roughly 1.5–3 hours per week and the (optional) synchronous meetings will take place every week on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 pm, with open/drop-in office hours on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Both programs can be found at https://www.imsa.edu/centers/stem-enrichment-programs/online-learning/

From the Adler Planetarium web site . . .

’Scopes at the Adler combines everything you love about our neighborhood telescope program and brings it home to the Adler’s Doane Observatory, where the largest publicly accessible telescope in the Chicagoland area is waiting for you to look through its eyepiece. Join a small group of stargazers and the Adler’s public observing team to see the sky over Chicago like you’ve never seen it before. You’ll also learn how telescopes work and how to find bright stars and constellations using modern and historic tools—and you can try out a working replica of astronomer Galileo Galilei’s handmade telescope.

’Scopes at the Adler events are clear sky events only meaning tickets will go on sale the morning of the event when we are guaranteed good weather! CAPACITY IS EXTREMELY LIMITED (only 12 slots per evening), so you’ll want to follow us on Twitter @AdlerPlanet or join our Facebook Group to be the first to know when tickets drop.

This program is recommended for ages 8 and up. Tickets are $25. Ticket sales for this program are online only, and all ticket sales are final (no refunds). No on-site tickets will be sold. 12 tickets maximum sold per event.

From the Story Studio Chicago web site:

Full scholarships available.

Do you want to create your own magical world similar to Children of Blood and Bone or Harry Potter? Does the futuristic technology in Ender’s Game inspire you to write your own sci-fi novel? If so, you belong in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writing Club!

Over the course of eight weeks, students will generate science fiction and fantasy pieces and workshop them with the help of their peers. They will learn the differences between the genres and read the works of notable authors. Our adventure will culminate in a party where students will have the opportunity to read their works aloud.

Each class will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time on Saturdays, and the course will run from August 21st through October 9th. Short readings or writing exercises may be assigned between classes.   

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-11

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE:

• Mentor Readings: Students will read at least one piece of published creative work each class and discuss how it relates to craft and genre. 
• Writing: Writing prompts will spark imagination, help break through blocks, and encourage new heights of creativity. After each class, Zac will have students send their work to him, and he will read, make comments, and return the work with feedback by the following class.
• Workshopping: Students will share work and give feedback on what’s working well and what opportunities they can find in each piece. We’ll talk about where we can extend scenes and dialogue to push the narrative, how word choice can affect the piece as a whole, how to enhance the science fiction or fantasy elements, and how writers can find—and trust—their own amazing original voice. 
• Showcase: Campers will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform their written work via Zoom. A link can be shared with friends and family members from around the globe; anyone who wants to tune in is welcome.

From the Institute for Educational Advancement June 1, 2021 email newsletter . . .

Please join us for an exciting Summer Spotlight as we highlight IEA youth from across the nation in a virtual talent show! Students of all ages are invited to showcase their creativity, talent and innovation through short video clips. Acts may include musical performances (instrumental or voice), dancing, skits, poetry readings, original artwork presentations, magic, science experiments, fashion design, cooking or baking, athletic feats or anything else that ignites our students’ passion. Participants may submit their talent as a solo act, or join together for a group submission. We can’t wait to applaud our talented IEA stars! Parents, grandparents and other family and friends are invited to join in the fun as audience members for the premiere of IEA’s Summer Spotlight Talent Show on Wednesday, July 14 at 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time / 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time. All participants will receive a small gift.

All registrations/submissions are due by June 30, 2021.
Click here to register!

Invite your family and friends to the show! Send them the following link:
Click here for invitations!

Please show your pride in our IEA students with a donation in support of IEA’s programs and services for gifted youth.
Donate today!

From the April 30, 2021 Illinois Association for Gifted Children Quarterly Newsletter:

ChiTeen Lit Fest is a for-teens-by-teens gathering that aims to provide a safe and creative space for young adults to unlock and discover their unique voice through literary arts. ChiTeen Lit Fest seeks to bring together young people from across Chicago and celebrate their talents as they express themselves through exceptional and honest art. The festival is a virtual event, for teens 13-19, and it will take place the week of May 16-22, 2021. For more details, please see here and for registration, please go here. 

Cinema Chicago has just announced the most expansive CineYouth Festival lineup yet with 102 international short films streaming virtually from May 6-13! Plus, for the first time ever, CineYouth will be open to audiences around the world. Tickets remain free and open to the public, so join them for the 16th CineYouth Festival! This year's selection spans 14 short film programs presenting a range of genres and themes including family-friendly animation in Playtime, international comedies in You Havin' a Laugh?, and Lights, Camera, Lockdown, a selection of films made during and responding to the pandemic as experienced around the world. Watch the CineYouth 2021 trailer to preview more of the program! For more details about this free event, please see here.

March's issue of Symmetry, dimensions of particle physics magazine contains an article on DIY physics demos.

From the article,

Missing visits to the museum? Or in need of some home-school activities? Check out these five do-it-yourself physics demos!

Read the article here.