Chicago Ideas is built around a single concept: When you put a diverse group of thinkers and community members in a room together, the possibilities are endless. This mission is supported in part by Chicago Ideas Members, who are helping us inspire the next generation of Chicagoans on a level that’s unmatched by any other organization of its kind
Last year, Chicago Ideas Week kicked off the CIW YOU(th) program at Field Museum. At 2014’s event at the Adler Planetarium, Chris Gardner, author of the Pursuit of Happyness and the event’s keynote speaker, said, “This program is about big ideas and big dreams.” And that it was.
CIW YOU(th) program provides 500 Chicago high school students the opportunity to network with working professionals, meet their peers from across the city and think beyond the stars.
“Our mission is to empower students to become Chicago’s future leaders,” CIW Director of YOU(th) Programming Rachel Graham said. “Since our launch, CIW YOU(th) ambassadors have taken the CIW stage, gone on to college and inspired others to pursue their passions.”
At the 2015 Kick-Off, students heard from Grammy Award-winning Performance Poet J. Ivy and attended interactive labs produced by the Field Museum, including an exploration of bird specimens, learning the steps of mummification, and exploring a life-size recreation of an 1800s Pawnee Earth Lodge. The 2014 Kick-Off program consisted of a breakout session, guest speakers and a series of 10 different interactive labs curated by Adler Planetarium. Students raced robots, tasted marshmallows frozen by liquid nitrogen and discovered what happens to Barbasol in a vacuum.
At the 2016 Kick-Off, hosted by Shedd Aquarium, students will go behind the scenes at the Aquarium, meeting with vets, biologists, designers and ecologists to explore not only professional opportunities, but also how they can make a difference in their communities.
CIW YOU(th) Kick-Off is just one of the events students attend as a part of the CIW YOU(th) program. Students also have the chance to witness and meet with world-class speakers at Chicago Ideas Week Talks, Labs and special programs. CIW YOU(th) also attend professional development events throughout the year, produced by Chicago Ideas, with professional mentorship sometimes provided by Chicago Ideas Members.
“When I first came into CIW YOU(th) program, I had a lot of negative influences in my life,” said Everett Jennings, a senior at Steinmetz High School. “The program has changed my outlook. It’s helped me realize that I’m going to prove all those people wrong.”
The CIW YOU(th) program is made possible in part by Chicago Ideas Members. With tax-deductible Memberships starting at only $45, it’s an easy way for Chicagoans to support their community. Members also receive exclusive invitations to events all year-round, including those that allow them to meet with Chicago youth. Through events, workshops and other special programs, Chicago Ideas is creating real change in the lives of the participants. By joining Chicago Ideas, you’ll help Chicago’s youth access experiences that will help them become the world’s next biggest innovators and thought leaders.
To learn more about becoming a Chicago Ideas Member, click here.