Lincoln-Way East High School recently held its inaugural STEM Career Exploration Dinner, an inspiring evening dedicated to connecting students with professionals in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Nearly 40 students participated in this exciting event, which featured 11 volunteers from a variety of STEM careers.
The evening began with a hands-on challenge where students worked together to build the tallest tower possible, fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Following the activity, students enjoyed dinner while engaging in meaningful conversations with professionals working in fields aligned with their future career interests.
This unique event was spearheaded by Chemistry teacher Carlie Premo, who drew inspiration from a similar event she attended at Argonne National Laboratory last year. Her vision brought to life an impactful opportunity for students to gain insight into potential career paths and network with industry experts.
Lincoln-Way East extends its heartfelt gratitude to the STEM volunteers who made this event possible: Dr. Vikas Patel, Dr. Rajeev Puri, Kristy Premo, Dr. Sarah Tersey, Dr. Christina Marczali, Alisa Swann, Alesha Alexander, Detective Glowinke, Detective Strohm and Marco Contreras. Their participation and expertise were invaluable to the students’ experience.
A special thank-you also goes to Gatto's Italian Restaurant & Bar for generously donating food for the evening, making the dinner an enjoyable and memorable part of the event.
This groundbreaking event showcased the power of collaboration and mentorship in inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals. Lincoln-Way East looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.