Girls STEAM

Girls STEAM

Discover careers. Meet role models. Imagine what’s next.

Submit Your Presentation

Girls STEAM

Discover careers. Meet role models. Imagine what’s next.

Submit Your Presentation
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What is Girls STEAM?

What is Girls STEAM?

Girls STEAM is an initiative designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and expand opportunities for girls in STEAM. We bring learning to life through dynamic experiences, mentorship, and access to real STEAM professionals.
  • Hands-on STEAM activities designed for middle & high school girls
  • Connect with STEAM professionals and role models
  • Build confidence, skills, and future pathways

Free Girls STEAM Celebration

Saturday April 11th, 2026 | 10am-2pm at Homewood-Flossmoor High School

Exclusive invite and transportation for 6th-8th students from:
James Hart School | Parker Junior High School

Please join us in supporting Homewood Science Center’s Girls STEAM Celebration, a free STEAM career exploration event serving 100 middle school students from South Cook County. Together, we can inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and scientists.

Sign Up for the Girls STEAM Celebration
Adult Volunteer Sign Up
High School Volunteer Sign Up

What to Expect

Homewood Science Center invites 6th-8th grade students from James Hart School & Parker Junior High School to a day of STEAM career exploration, food, and fun at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

Find out about education and career paths with our STEAM Career Showcase, featuring volunteers from a variety of STEAM careers. We’ll have Aurelio’s Pizza for lunch. After that, students will create vision boards.

STEAM Career Showcase

We challenge you to visit every STEAM Showcase table! You’ll also learn about different jobs in STEAM and test out some pretty cool on-the-job STEAM tools and activities. We have volunteers from different backgrounds from the following organizations: 

Go Home with Gifts!

Go Home with Gifts!

It’s not a celebration unless there are gifts! You will go home with a swag bag and a custom journal to help you plan for your future! Introducing our “Manufacture Your Future” journal.
Aesha Jackson STEAM Leader Award

Aesha Jackson STEAM Leader Award

Win $1,000 & Inspire the Next Generation at Girls STEAM Celebration!
Submit Your Presentation

The Aesha Jackson STEAM Leader Award is dedicated to the memory of Aesha Jackson, a passionate engineer and advocate for young minds in STEM. Aesha’s talent for problem-solving emerged early—at just six years old, she amazed her father by secretly repairing his broken glasses in her “lab” (her bedroom). Her love for tinkering and engineering led her to pursue a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in construction.

As a young professional, Aesha dedicated time to mentoring and inspiring students, especially girls, to explore careers in STEM. Though Aesha tragically passed away in 2024 in Flossmoor, IL, her legacy of innovation and mentorship lives on. This award seeks to honor her by elevating young STEAM leaders who inspire others—just as she did.

The Challenge:
Create a 3 minute presentation designed to show the judges how you could excite and engage middle schoolers about STEAM. Your talk can:

  • Share your personal journey in STEAM
  • Highlight a groundbreaking innovation or discovery
  • Demonstrate a cool experiment or hands-on activity
  • Show how STEAM is shaping the future. We’re looking for creativity, passion, and the power to inspire—just like Aesha!

The Prize:
$1,000 cash award for the most impactful presentation
Present your talk live at the Girls STEAM Celebration on Saturday April 11th at Homewood-Flossmoor High School
 
How to Enter:

  • Record a 3 minute video presentation showcasing your idea
  • Fill out the form completely.
  • Deadline: March 30, 2026,

Winner will be announced on April 4, 2026 Our panel of judges will select the most powerful and engaging presentation to feature at Girls STEAM Celebration!
 
For questions, contact Edie Dobrez edobrez@homewoodsciencecenter.org