![Opt4STEM Energy Academy Opt4STEM Energy Academy](http://magazine.iit.edu/sites/magazine/files/issues/2018/Fall/images/Opt4STEM-1.jpg)
![Opt4STEM Energy Academy Opt4STEM Energy Academy](http://magazine.iit.edu/sites/magazine/files/issues/2018/Fall/images/Opt4STEMExelon_2.jpg)
A group of high school students from Chicago’s Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center had an eight-day opportunity this summer to explore power in various forms through the Opt4STEM Energy Academy. Opt4STEM (The STEM Partnership for College Success Program) is a year-round programming partnership between Von Steuben, Exelon, and Illinois Tech that provides Von Steuben students with a foundation to pursue degrees in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields.
“To achieve the mission of the partnership, we provide the Von Steuben students a wide range of over 100 STEM enrichment, college and career, and leadership activities throughout the year,” says Opt4STEM Director Megan Campanile (M.Ed ’08, Ph.D. ’16).
![Opt4STEM Energy Academy Opt4STEM Energy Academy](http://magazine.iit.edu/sites/magazine/files/issues/2018/Fall/images/Opt4STEM-3.jpg)
In the Energy Academy, held July 11–20, the students participated in tours, lectures, and hands-on activities at Exelon, the ComEd Training Center, and Illinois Tech’s Mies Campus, among other sites. In addition to visiting solar and natural gas plants, and a nuclear power station courtesy of Exelon, students conducted an energy audit and built energy-efficient model houses at Illinois Tech. Students followed a strict building code that included having at least one door that opened and closed, insulation that could not exceed 3 centimeters in thickness, and an attic.
A selective cohort of Von Steuben scholars is currently enrolled in the 2018–19 Opt4STEM Leadership Academy. Through their participation in seminars and workshops along with the completion of a final project, students become more confident and knowledgeable leaders. A number of the students are paired with Illinois Tech undergraduate mentors throughout the program.
Photo courtesy of Megan Campanile (M.Ed ’08, Ph.D. ’16)