Bright Star STEAM DREAM Initiative (BSSDI)

With generous funding from the Hyman Milgrom Supporting Organization, UChicago STEM Education and Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO) are excited to partner to develop and implement the Bright Star STEAM DREAM Initiative (BSSDI). The BSSDI will provide high-quality school-day and out-of-school STEAM programming at BSCO’s TURN Center for PreK–Grade 8 students and families from Carter G. Woodson and other Bronzeville elementary schools. It will also build capacity among Bronzeville’s elementary school teachers for effective STEAM instruction through the Bronzeville STEAM Teacher Institute.

The BSSDI will support training for and implementation of three respected programs that develop essential STEM skills. Engineering is Elementary (EiE) and FUSE Studio develop students’ understanding of engineering processes and their ability to apply scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills to particular challenges. We will implement EiE with PreK–Grade 5 and FUSE Studio with Grades 6–8 students. We will also implement Lego Robotics kits with Grades 1–8 students to develop their programming and computational thinking skills. We will also infuse an arts element into the programming where appropriate to provide integrated opportunities for students’ creative expression.

In addition to providing high-quality STEAM programming for students, teachers, and families in Bronzeville, the BSSDI fosters a sustainable partnership between BSCO and UCSE that will allow us to continue to develop, expand, and improve STEAM offerings in Bronzeville over time.