Press release
83 Local High School Students Complete ComEd, HFS Chicago Scholars Fall Program on Way to STEM Career
Chicagoland students wrap up fall semester of Create a Spark program, focused on building next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators
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[{"type":"text","content":"\nChicagoland students wrap up fall semester of Create a Spark program, focused on building next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators\n\n CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nAs part of their effort to prepare the next generation of clean energy professionals, ComEd and HFS Chicago Scholars are celebrating the fifth year of their Create a Spark program and its second graduating class. The Create a Spark program is a four-year curriculum for high-achieving Chicago high school students to learn about energy, climate change, the electric grid and renewables like wind and solar. This semester, 37 juniors and 46 seniors participated in a curriculum designed by ComEd mentors and the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project.\n\n“From energy basics to applied engineering, the ComEd Create a Spark program provides hands-on learning opportunities for students to learn about the power grid,” said Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. “As we work towards a clean energy future, educating the next generation of STEM leaders will be crucial for this transition. I look forward to the impact these students will have on the world as they pursue their own STEM careers.”\n\nSince fall 2018, ComEd has welcomed over 175 students into the Create a Spark program. One hundred percent of the 2022 graduating class is currently attending a college or university, and 60 percent of those students are pursuing a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) degree. The program uses a rigorous four-year, hybrid curriculum to connect students with ComEd mentors.\n\n“HFS prides itself on the success of its scholars, and much of that success can be attributed to the valuable mentorship these students receive during their four-year program,” said Matthew Suss, Director of Operations at HFS Chicago Scholars. “Having regular opportunities to work with ComEd engineers in Create a Spark provides real-life examples of STEM careers and helps encourage many of our scholars to pursue STEM degrees in college.”\n\nThis year’s junior class ended their semester with a community outreach project designed to educate ComEd customers on their energy efficiency and personal impact on climate change. Their projects focused on the power of a social media campaign detailing simple, affordable actions ComEd customers can take to be reduce their monthly power bills and energy...