The STEM Academy That Helped Me See What’s Possible
Culture
By: Melanie Lobos, Harper College Student
This summer, I read the article “Higher education pays off in Illinois, but economic barriers persist” in the Chicago Tribune with great interest. As a first-generation college student, I have had to work a little harder to navigate my education and find opportunities that might be available to me.
In 2022, I found the Exelon Foundation STEM Academy – a weeklong summer program held in cities across the country designed to immerse young women, and men, in science, technology, engineering, and math. This program has opened doors for me and opened my eyes to what my future could hold.
Each year, the Chicago STEM Academy hosts nearly 100 rising juniors and seniors from high schools across northern Illinois to stay overnight on a college campus for 6 nights, take part in interactive workshops, go on field trips, and connect with mentors from Exelon and ComEd who work in STEM.
In 2022, I attended as a rising senior in high school. From the start, I was surrounded by women who understood my curiosity and encouraged it. It was one of the first times I’d been surrounded by so many professionals and peers that were interested in the same things I was. We worked together in teams to solve real-world energy challenges, brainstorming innovative ways to create cleaner, more resilient communities.
The Academy was a gamechanger. The program didn’t just give us abstract lessons – it pushed us to apply what we learned and present our ideas to industry professionals, simulating the real problem-solving environment of STEM careers.
What stood out to me most were the mentoring sessions. Many of the women I met were the first in their families to work in STEM, and they shared stories of the challenges they faced and overcame. Their guidance made me realize that the path to a STEM career is not always easy, but it’s absolutely possible. I realized engineering was the right choice for me as I became inspired by networking with other engineers. I had direction, now it was time to find an outlet.
That’s why, in Fall 2023, I took the leap and started at Harper College as an Engineering major after being awarded The Chris Crane Memorial Scholarship. It meant I could truly commit myself to a career in STEM. I can now proudly say that I am a member of the Women in Sciences and Engineering Club, the Harper Society of Engineers, the Computer Science Club, and the Math Club.
To the companies, educators, and mentors who make opportunities like this possible: thank you. You’ve sparked something in me that has lasted far beyond one week.
To high school students that might be interested in STEM or looking for community: take the next step and explore what a future in STEM could look like for you. It could even lead to a full ride scholarship!
To learn more about the Exelon Foundation, the STEM Academy and the Boys to STEM Academy visit the website here.