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STEAMBASSADORS

A community mentorship initiative founded by Northwestern University Office of
Community Partnerships, City Colleges of Chicago and Project Exploration in
2020.

Accepting applications for Spring 2023

Apply now to be a paid STEAM mentor this summer. Work with youth to code drones
to fly and robots to dance; make games, swagg, and music beats; create digital
stories and art. Explore and learn valuable STEAM skills while having fun and
inspiring youth from your own community and more. No experience necessary.

APPLY NOW



ABOUT THE PROGRAM

STEAMbassadors are specially-trained mentors from partnering two-and four-year
institutions who facilitate camps, programs, and activities with elementary and
middle-school aged Chicago and/or Evanston youth in STEAM activities such as
coding music, flying drones, building machines, and writing stories in online
and face-to-face informal learning spaces.  No prior teaching experience is
necessary to become a STEAMbassador.

‍STEAMville is an online platform we created to allow youth to discover,
develop, and showcase their STEAM interests and identities and to connect to
other STEAM learning opportunities. We use the STEAMville online platform as a
tool for training and program implementation. Mentors will learn on and through
STEAMville, and then use it to support their programs. 

STEAMbassadors are recruited throughout the year to be assigned in varied youth
program opportunities scheduled in the fall, spring, and summer. Check the
application form for upcoming program dates.


PARTNERS

TRUMAN COLLEGE

Innovation One is a program within Harry S Truman College’s Hub for Equity in
STEAM. A collaborative network for students, educators, and teachers, Innovation
One aims to promote engagement in STEAM education and careers by providing
resources to stakeholders. As an Innovation One STEAMbassador, you will serve as
a program counselor/mentor for elementary and high school students and introduce
them to robotics and block coding. Extensive STEAM education and experience is
not required – just an interest in tinkering and a desire to stay abreast of
technological innovations. Innovation One STEAMbassadors commit to 20-40 hours
of paid training before assuming their part-time, paid role in the 6-week summer
camp that runs from early July through the end of August. The skills that
STEAMbassadors develop are very much in demand and transferable to any career
and any job!

PROJECT EXPLORATION

Project Exploration is a Chicago-based nonprofit science education and youth
development organization launched in 1999 to address inequities in access to
high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) opportunities in
out-of-school time.

With equity at our core, we serve youth from communities historically
underrepresented in STEM fields and recruit students who are curious and
interested in science but face systemic challenges to accessing high-quality
programs, such as academic prerequisites or program fees.

Our programs deeply engage students in authentic STEM experiences, alongside
mentors and STEM professionals who serve as role models. Through these programs
and relationships, youth develop critical social and emotional skills, such as
self-confidence, science identity, collaboration, communication, and leadership
abilities.

MAPSCORPS

MAPSCorps trains and orients youth to conduct research on community public
health. MAPSCorps uses a S.T.E.A.M. approach that blends scientific inquiry with
creative exercises derived from the “A” - arts/humanities training.  Youth are
trained by college age near peer mentors to identify community assets, conduct
research, and generate data that can be used to shape community perceptions and
plans. Near peer mentors receive approximately 60 hours of training prior to the
start of summer programming, and an additional 20 hours of professional
development throughout the program.
‍
Communities served in 2022 were Albany Park, Altgeld Gardens/Riverdale, Auburn
Gresham, Austin, Brighten Park, Bronzeville, Chatham, Englewood, Kenwood, Near
West side, North Lawndale, South Shore & Woodlawn. Field and Data Coordinators
work as near peer mentors to deliver training and mentor the Mappers (youth ages
14-15 years) to cultivate confidence, critical thinking, and self-awareness.  In
the summer of 2023, there will be opportunities for college age students to work
as Field Coordinators or Data Coordinators in the MAPSCorps program.

TUNEPAD

The TunePad / Coded Beats program provides engaging and hands-on introduction to
Python coding through digital music creation. Students in our program learn the
basics of coding while working through step-by-step tutorials to recreate
popular music.

By the end of the program, students will gain confidence in music and code and
will be ready to share their original musical compositions. Appropriate for
grades 5-9.

DIGITAL YOUTH DIVAS

Digital Youth Divas is an out-of-school program that engages middle school
girls, especially those from non-dominant communities, in design-based
engineering and computer science activities driven by a narrative story. The
program supports girls to develop STEM identities by participating within
face-to-face and online spaces to design, create, and re-imagine everyday
artifacts (jewelry, hair accessories, music) and activities (dancing and talking
to friends) using techniques including collaboration, critique, circuitry,
coding, and fabrication.

Since 2013, over 300 girls have participated in core Digital Youth Divas in
Chicago. Over the course of the program, girls have demonstrated increased
domain-specific content knowledge and development of initial interest in STEM.

SOCIALWORKS

SocialWorks, founded by Grammy-award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance
the Rapper, aims to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic
engagement. Since 2016, SocialWorks has created 5 initiatives that present youth
the opportunity to learn and act on their passions. SocialWorks’ programming
focuses on education, mental health, homelessness, and performing and literary
arts – directly affecting thousands of youth yearly. Through the initiatives,
OpenMike, Warmest Winter, Kids of the Kingdom, The New Chance: Arts & Literature
Fund, and My State of Mind, SocialWorks hopes to inspire creativity, build
dreams, and advocate for youth success in all its forms.

PROJECT SYNCERE
‍

Our mission is to prepare the minds of underrepresented students and create
pathways for them to pursue careers in STEM. PS programs provide students with
opportunities to gain an understanding of engineering-based principles and
recognize how they are connected to everything around them. Armed with this
knowledge, our students can confidently go into the world and change it — before
society tells them they can’t. Working directly with school districts, local
universities and community organizations to deliver our engineering-focused
programs. Since our launch in 2009, we have been able to create a spark in the
minds of thousands of students to show them how STEM careers can be fun,
creative and rewarding.


SPORTSENSE BY TIILT

Recent estimates suggest that 70% of youth participate in sports, whereas fewer
than 20% participate in out-of-school STEM experiences. The SportSense project
imagines how unlocking new curiosities within athletes could transform the
landscape of STEM learning, both in terms of who participates and types of
innovations that emerge. In partnership with local organizations, we create
learning environments where students are introduced to ways that technology can
help them improve their athletic performance, and ways that sports can improve
their understanding of STEM concepts. We provide participants the opportunity to
explore statistical questions that are meaningful to them, with tools such as
wearables, Python statistical packages, and R programming tools prominently used
by data scientists.

DISTINCTIVELY ME

We are a pipeline to mental health support for black girls in 6th-12th grades.
We provide brave spaces that embody group-esteem, creativity, vocal expression,
and leadership development, in conjunction with adult and peer support, helping
to shape mentees with a positive mindset to overcome daily adversity in all
areas of their lives. Distinctively Me exposes girls to resources and
opportunities to help them re-frame their negative thoughts and alter poor
behaviors, thereby bringing about healthy self-awareness that reinforces mental
stability. Through our Teen TEE  (Talk Educate Experience) program we create a
dedicated space for Black girls to engage in activities and conversations about
who they are and how they fit into the world. Teen TEE helps girls to identify
and dismantle the impact of racism in their lives by supporting them in
resisting other people’s narratives of them and creating their own. Teen TEE
includes 10, 1-hour sessions with activities, discussions, and
relationship-building opportunities led by trained facilitators.

EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT FOR EVANSTON FAMILIES

Our mission is to serve families of color in Evanston that have been
marginalized by structural racism by providing access to parental resources
while empowering their children through mentorship programs, academic supports,
discovery opportunities and real world experiences.  Our Vision is that our
children of color will have the same opportunities and supports as every other
child in Evanston. We will do this by partnering with the wide variety of
community organizations and by soliciting and utilizing the talents and time of
volunteers (known as villagers) through our Eight Pathways to Success: Family
Support Network, Mentorship, Education, Building Healthy Relationships, Interest
Exploration and Discovery, Career Discovery and Development, Financial Literacy,
and Community Service


APPLICATION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY - WHO CAN APPLY?

‍Applicants should be:

18-24 years old

A current student at a 2 or 4 year city college/university

Living in the Chicago and Evanston area while working Interested in exploring
and learning STEAM topics (e.g., data science, code drone to fly, create digital
art, make games, sports tech, and cosmetology)

Committed to working with K - 12th grade youth as a mentor

No STEAM or teaching experience necessary

IMPORTANT DATES

STEAMbassadors are recruited on a rolling basis.

Summer 2023 (June to August) placements
+ Priority Application due: February 25
+ All Confirmation of Acceptance sent by February 28
+ Training Window: March 13 - May 31

Fall 2023 (September to December) placements
+ Application Due: Summer 2023 (Mid July)

HOW IT WORKS

ATTEND TRAINING

Part of the application process for each Steambassador Gig is to sign up for and
attend the required training for that Gig.

GET INTERVIEWED

As you complete the training for a Steambassador Gig, you will also interview
for that Gig with your future supervisors.

ACCEPT A GIG

Steambassador supervisors will make offers once you complete the training for a
Steambassador Gig and the Interview.

GET PAID

You will get paid a stipend as you complete the training required for any
Steambassador Gig. Once you start working a Steambassador Gig you will be paid
an hourly rate depending on that Gig.

HOW TO APPLY?

APPLY NOW

CONTACT

For questions about the STEAMbassador initiative, please contact us at
hello@steambassadors.org.

GAIN EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

STEAMbassadors is a paid workforce development program that gives college
students an opportunity to work in the neighborhoods where they are from and
with which they are familiar. Young adults are trained and hired as STEAM
mentors to lead camps for K-8 youth from their home community.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

STEAMbassadors provides an opportunity to connect with senior leaders in higher
education and community partner organizations, as well as peers from represented
communities across Chicago, Evanston, and beyond. These professional networks
will persist past your time as a STEAMbassador.
‍

LEARN NEW SKILLS

Upon hire, STEAMbassador mentors gain free access to the STEAMville platform to
explore and level up in STEAM skills through specially curated activities, while
also having the opportunity to gain and sharpen mentoring and teaching
facilitation skills.

‍

LEAD AS A MENTOR TO YOUTH

You will be placed with community partners for summer employment where you will
lead camps based on the STEAM skills you learned during paid training. Camps may
be in person or virtual depending on the individual programs. You will continue
to receive support and access to learning and skill development, and you will
build community with other mentors throughout your placement.
‍

STEAMBASSADOR COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

STEAMbassadors doesn’t end with summer employment. You will be welcomed into a
community where opportunities to engage will be curated especially for you. Free
access to STEAMville will continue, and ongoing learning, professional
development and employment opportunities will be shared, and peer-to-peer social
interactions continue year round as well.
‍


THE STEAMBASSADOR JOURNEY


APPLY TO THE PROGRAM

The STEAMbassadors application is a 2-step process. First, complete the
application form linked above. Second, if you are a Chicago Community College
student or a resident of Chicago you must complete the One Summer Chicago
application as well.  Once all necessary applications been submitted you will
receive an email, within 2 weeks of applying, welcoming you to the
STEAMbassadors community.


1

2

LEVEL UP YOUR SKILL SET

Once you are officially hired as a mentor, you will begin your paid training.
You will gain valuable workforce development and STEAM skills to prepare you to
lead summer camps as a community leader for K-8 youth from your own community
and beyond.

Once you successfully complete your paid training you are guaranteed an
opportunity for summer employment as a camp lead mentor until mid-August.

LEAD AS A MENTOR TO YOUTH

You will be placed with community partners for summer employment where you will
lead camps based on the STEAM skills you learned during paid training. Camps may
be in person or virtual depending on the individual programs.

You will continue to receive support and access to learning and skill
development, and you will build community with other mentors throughout your
placement.


3


4

STEAMBASSADOR COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

STEAMbassadors doesn’t end with summer employment. You will be welcomed into a
community where opportunities to engage will be curated especially for you. Free
access to STEAMville will continue, and ongoing learning, professional
development and employment opportunities will be shared, and peer-to-peer social
interactions continue year round as well.

I never knew that I could do that much to inspire kids to change who they are or
be like another role model for them.

MALIK M.
2020 STEAMbassadors Mentor


"I know how valuable mentors in my life have been so I thought if I could just
be a little bit of that to anyone else that would be awesome."

MARIANELLA O.

2020 STEAMbassadors Mentor


Learn more about our first STEAMbassador cohort:



FAQs



LET'S ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS.


WILL STEAMBASSADORS WORK IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY?

Starting with the Spring 2023 programming cycle, STEAMbassadors will be working
with youth in person, therefore it is crucial that STEAMbassdors reside in the
Chicago area throughout their entire gig placement. Some training sessions may
be held online or in person.


HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK WILL I WORK AND WHEN SHOULD I BE AVAILABLE?

Your typical work schedule will vary depending on your the Steambassador Gig
that you choose. Typically Steambassador Gigs are ~20 hours per week during the
summer months. When you accept an offer for a Steambassador Gig, you must commit
during your scheduled times.
‍
You will participate in training based on the program to which you are assigned.
Training will involve a mix of Zoom sessions, in-person meetings, and
asynchronous self-paced activities. We will share a more detailed schedule with
you before training begins.


CAN I STILL BE A STEAMBASSADOR EVEN IF I AM A FULL-TIME STUDENT?

YES! We highly encourage continued learning while working as a STEAMbassador. We
do recommend that you consider how much you can balance with school and work
demands. You will be expected to work about 20 hours a week during your Gig. If
you are not sure about scheduling and balancing, email us or include a note in
your application so we can discuss.



WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY STEM SKILLS? CAN I STILL APPLY?

Absolutely, yes! First, we are willing to bet that you have more skills than you
realize, even if you (or your school) doesn’t always label them as “STEM
skills.” Just look at you using the internet and figuring things out - tech,
problem solving, check, and check! But more importantly, we have designed
STEAMbassadors intentionally so that part of your work is learning and leveling
up your skills. All that we ask is that you have a desire to develop your STEM
skills and identity.

This work takes a village of people with all kinds of skills, but we need
everyone to be willing to try, to engage, to believe in yourself, and find ways
to build your skillset. The more you learn, the more you can earn. Bonus!


WHAT ARE THE DATES AND THE SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM?

The priority application deadline is February 28th, 2023 but applications are
accepted on a rolling basis.

Your content training schedule will vary based on your Gig's training
requirements but will occur between March and June. Some training will be
scheduled in person, some will be self-paced asynchronous activity, and some
will be a mixture of both.
‍
Summer camps start on June 12, 2023 and run through August 4th, 2023.


HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID?

The minimum will be $15, though there will be opportunities for STEAMbassadors
to earn more.


DO ALL OF THE JOBS FOR STEAMBASSADORS INVOLVE WORKING WITH YOUTH?

Yes, with some exceptions. There will be some opportunities to work in more
administrative support roles for STEM partner organizations.


WHAT IF I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED HERE?

Excellent! We love questions. Email us at hello@steambassadors.org.


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