ETHS course blends algebra and entrepreneurship, giving dual credit while students build real businesses with community support.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Our Partnerships
Each partnership falls under one of four priorities. These serve as a strategic framework and are described in more detail in the priorities section of this site.
To read the full description of a partnership, click on the partnership name. Use the focus area filter to narrow down the partnership list to partnerships related to the selected priority.
Northwestern’s MENA Languages Department connects ETHS and university students through welcoming Arabic practice lunches that build language skills and community.
Focus area: Identity and Social Consciousness
ETHS AVID seniors join NU-led Q&As, discussions, and campus shadowing to build academic and social readiness for college.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
BCSE strengthens STEM equity with PD, materials, and lab access, helping ETHS teachers bring cutting-edge science into classrooms.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Bienestar unites Northwestern and ETHS students through mentorship, fostering college readiness and supporting Latinx and first-generation communities.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
ETHS engineering students visit the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab on National Biomechanics Day for hands-on learning with experts in science, health, and engineering.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Northwestern’s Center for Civic Engagement connects students with community partners through service, civic programs, and impactful work-study opportunities.
Focus area: Community Collaborations
CIERA connects ETHS students to astrophysics through events, research mentorship, and the REACH summer program for aspiring young scientists.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Northwestern’s College Prep Program offers two-week summer seminars and full scholarships for local high school students to explore college life and learning.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
The Partnership Office connects Northwestern student groups with ETHS, guiding outreach and fostering impactful, long-term community collaborations.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
CT-STEM partners with ETHS teachers to design and teach computational-thinking curriculum and lead regional PD workshops.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Digital Youth Divas empowers middle school girls in STEM through creative design, mentorship, and hands-on engineering and coding experiences.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Empowering ETHS students through leadership, research, and community collaboration with Northwestern University’s Emerge program.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
ETHS Bands collaborate with the Northwestern Marching Band through joint performances at NUMB's High School Band Day, community events, and Evanston Day celebrations.
Focus area: Community Collaborations
Free Saturday academic support for ETHS students, powered by teachers, staff, and NU mentors offering tutoring, test prep, and college guidance.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
Supporting ETHS students with mentorship, college counseling, and NU partnerships through the Evanston Scholars program.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
Promoting lifelong learning through free, thought-provoking FAN events at ETHS—supported by Northwestern faculty, students, and the Partnership Office.
Focus area: Identity and Social Consciousness
ETHS students visit Northwestern Feinberg for hands-on anatomy labs and medical workshops, exploring clinical and healthcare career pathways.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
ETHS Forensic Science offers hands-on labs in evidence analysis, with insights from Northwestern experts connecting science, law, and justice.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Empowering ETHS students to learn coding, create community projects, and connect with Northwestern mentors through Girls Who Code.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
iKit connects ETHS seniors with paid internships at local employers like Northwestern IT, offering real-world experience and pathways to future careers.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
CCIS connects ETHS families with international students, fostering cross-cultural friendships, language practice, and a welcoming community.
Focus area: Community Collaborations
Kellogg Connections pairs ETHS students with Kellogg mentors for hands-on business learning, mini-MBA workshops, and pathways to college and careers.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
Kits, ’Cats and Kids is Evanston’s annual back-to-school block party, uniting schools, families, and partners for music, games, and community spirit.
Focus area: Community Collaborations
LDCE and the Partnership Office connect Northwestern students with Evanston youth through service, leadership development, and civic engagement programs.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
The Block Museum partners with ETHS to connect students to art, storytelling, and critical thinking through exhibitions, custom tours, and student-led film festivals.
Focus area: Community Collaborations
MSYEP connects Evanston youth to paid summer jobs at Northwestern University, offering ETHS students mentoring, training, and real-world career experience.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
Northwestern’s MSEd program partners with ETHS educators to train future teachers through real-world learning, mentorship, and collaborative projects.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
Northwestern University's National High School Institute (NHSI), established in 1931, hosts students for summer programs in Theatre, Film, Debate, and Playwriting.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
Northwestern partners with ETHS to support Native and Indigenous initiatives through education, land acknowledgment, and cultural celebrations like Indigenous Peoples Day.
Focus area: Identity and Social Consciousness
NEERA connects Northwestern University partners, District 65, and District 202 to support data-driven research, evaluation, and evidence-based practices at ETHS.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
Northwestern Splash offers free, student-taught one-day mini-courses for high schoolers, giving ETHS students hands-on learning and a taste of college life.
Focus area: College Access and Career Preparation
Northwestern donates laboratory equipment to ETHS, expanding classroom learning through enhanced science, design, and technology resources.
Focus area: Community Collaborations
ETHS Poetry Week celebrates student creativity through readings, workshops, and open mic performances supported by Northwestern faculty and students.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
ETHS serves as a practicum site for several NU undergraduates, helping students gain valuable real-world experience with teaching and administration.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
Project Med mentors ETHS students interested in healthcare careers through workshops, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and career exploration resources.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
PIP places Northwestern fellows at ETHS to support equity, design innovation, and community engagement through paid public interest work.
Focus area: Shared Learning Opportunities
The Delta Sigma Boulé Foundation supports Black male youth through mentorship, leadership development, scholarships, and career pathways.
Focus area: Identity and Social Consciousness
Northwestern students founded Simpli-Sci to transform science communication and make scientific research more accessible to all audiences. The partnership between Simpli-Sci and ETHS teachers creates graphic learning tools for classroom instruction to help students understand scientific topics.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
ETHS student summits and the Social Consciousness Series foster antiracist learning, identity development, and inclusive community dialogue.
Focus area: Identity and Social Consciousness
SHPEjr partners with Northwestern SHPE to provide mentorship, STEM competitions, leadership development, and hands-on engineering experiences.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Northwestern SWE empowers girls in STEM through Career Day, mentorships, and hands-on experiences that spark a passion for engineering.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
STEAM DTI immerses ETHS seniors in design thinking and real-world projects, supported by NU partners and evolving curriculum guidance.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
SOAR empowers ETHS students to lead anti-racist initiatives and host a youth-led equity conference at Northwestern University.
Focus area: Identity and Social Consciousness
Northwestern’s tiilt Lab partners with ETHS to advance inclusive learning through STEM research, athletics-based data science, and educator collaboration.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
ETHS and Northwestern students collaborate on films and curriculum exploring race, power, technology, and the social impacts of AI,
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Empowering ETHS students in STEM through mentorship, hands-on projects, and Northwestern partnerships that build confidence, community, and curiosity.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Youth Technology Corps advances STEM equity through computer refurbishment, global mentorship, and community partnerships.
Focus area: STEM Pathways
Algebra in Entrepreneurship
Evanston Township High School's (ETHS) interdisciplinary course connects learning algebra to becoming an entrepreneur. Participating students receive academic credit in both math and business for completing the course. It teaches necessary business skills such as revenue, making profit, and marketing. Students also have the opportunity to create real businesses throughout the year and connect with local entrepreneurs to learn from their expertise. The Partnership Office helps by connecting participating students with resources such as Kellogg Cares, Kellogg Connections, and the Kellogg Black and African American Network.
Contact: https://aie-eths.weebly.com/contact.html
News
Arabic Tables & MENA Languages
Students and faculty from Northwestern’s Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Languages Department host regular lunch gatherings connecting Northwestern and ETHS students to practice Arabic language skills. The program is open to all levels of Arabic proficiency, and is designed to foster a warm, encouraging community. Our office helps facilitate this connection between ETHS and Northwestern faculty, assisting with coordination and logistics.
Contact: mena-languages@northwestern.edu
News
AVID Senior College Experience
Evanston Township High School’s (ETHS) Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program is a four-year elective course that ETHS offers for college-bound students. The Partnership Office organizes three experiences for ETHS AVID seniors. Students take part in an in-class Q&A with undergraduates, a fishbowl discussion, and a shadow day on Northwestern's campus. Northwestern undergraduate students play a key role in helping organizing these events designed to prepare AVID seniors for college life. They facilitate panel discussions on college academics and host conversations focused on social-emotional readiness for the transition to higher education. Northwestern students also help plan a visit to campus undergraduate who will have a small group of seniors shadow them for an afternoon. This includes attending class, eating in the dining hall, and a campus tour highlighting resources and other general information that will prepare them for their respective colleges in the fall.
Contact: bonnerk@eths202.org
News
Baxter Center for Science Education
The Baxter Center for Science Education (BCSE) is a collaborative partnership between the Office of Community Education Partnerships (OCEP) at Northwestern University, Lindblom Math & Science Academy (LMSA), Round Lake Area Schools, and the Baxter International Foundation, with evolving and responsive expansions to our communities of Cook and Lake Counties more broadly. The BCSE provides impactful educator professional development programs and student experiences and catalyzes mutually beneficial collaborations, focused on the specific needs of communities in Chicago and the greater region, to promote student success and equity in STEM education and career pathways.
At Evanston Township High School (ETHS), science teachers benefit annually from BCSE’s professional development workshops, complimentary Baxter boxes filled with classroom materials, and access to the center’s laboratory equipment loan program. In addition, ETHS educators attend professional development workshops throughout the school year and summer to learn new skills and curriculum to bring back to their classrooms. Many ETHS science teachers have participated in summer Research Experiences for Teachers (RETs) at Northwestern laboratories, enabling them to stay current with leading-edge STEM research.
Contact: bcse@northwestern.edu
News
- The Baxter Center Launches Virtual Learning Series for Science Teachers
- Fifth Ward STEM Fest Gives Underrepresented Students Access to Science Education
- Graduate Students Hold Astronomy Workshop Series for Local Educators
- Models for Private Sector Engagement in STEM Education
- Baxter: Fostering Tomorrow's Innovation
Bienestar FGLI Student Mentoring
Bienestar is a service-oriented student organization created by Northwestern undergraduates to enable Latinx students to come together and promote El Bienestar of Latinx communities surrounding NU. One focus of the group is promoting college readiness and offering mentorship. In partnership with Evanston Township High School (ETHS), Bienestar pairs ETHS students with Northwestern mentors in a small-group model designed to provide personalized support. The program aims to assist First-Generation, Low-Income students as they navigate the transition to college.
The Partnership Office plays a key role in connecting Bienestar with the Quest Scholars Network at ETHS. We facilitate communication and collaboration with ETHS programs for parents and families such as the Latino Advisory Committee, Parent University, and Wildkit Futures Day to broaden Bienestar's reach and better serve students from underrepresented backgrounds.
News
Biomechanics Day
Each year, in celebration of National Biomechanics Day, Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Principles of Engineering students have the unique opportunity to visit the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for an immersive, hands-on experience. This event is led by Dr. Wendy Murray, a renowned researcher in the field of biomechanics, and provides students with a rare inside look at how cutting-edge science is being applied to real-world challenges.
Throughout the day, students engage with various research teams working at the intersection of biomechanics and fields such as medicine, rehabilitation, veterinary science, sports medicine, and biomedical engineering. They observe demonstrations, explore state-of-the-art labs, and hear directly from professionals who are using biomechanics to improve human health and performance.
This dynamic experience not only deepens students’ understanding of engineering concepts but also sparks curiosity and motivation to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). By connecting classroom learning with real-world applications, the visit inspires a new generation of problem-solvers to envision themselves as future innovators in science and healthcare.
Contact: Wendy Murray
Center for Civic Engagement
The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) at Northwestern University empowers students to become active, informed, and responsible citizens through hands-on learning, community partnerships, and public service. By connecting academic experiences with real-world impact, CCE fosters a campus culture rooted in civic responsibility and social change.
As part of this mission, CCE collaborates with community partners across Evanston and beyond to support meaningful work-study placements through programs like the Public Interest Program (PIP). These partnerships provide Northwestern students with opportunities to contribute to local organizations while gaining professional experience in the public and nonprofit sectors. CCE also plays a key role in supporting Civic Saturday events—community gatherings that blend civic reflection, storytelling, and shared action to inspire civic engagement and strengthen democratic culture. Through these efforts, the Center helps bridge the gap between campus and community, preparing students to lead lives of purpose and public service.
The Partnership Office works closely to bridge CCE and ETHS for matching student placements in PIP Fellowships to support the STEAM Design Thinking & Innovation Course, the Data Science Course, and Word-Based Learning Programs. We are working to expand community placements for university work-study students. Additionally, we share CCE programs widely with students, families, and educators at ETHS.
Contact: engage@northwestern.edu
Center for Interdisciplinary Education and Research in Astrophysics (NU CIERA)
Through Northwestern’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA), the Astronomy and Astrophysics courses at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) benefit from ongoing collaboration including joint events, professional development opportunities, and direct engagement with CIERA’s research community. CIERA hosts a range of public events aimed at sparking interest in astrophysics, and the Partnership Office shares these opportunities widely with the community, providing opportunities for teachers, students, and families to engage on campus.
One of CIERA’s signature outreach efforts is the Research Experiences in Astronomy at CIERA for High School Students (REACH) program—a highly interactive, three-week summer initiative designed to introduce high school students to astrophysics through intensive training in Python programming and research methods. Participants explore a range of astronomy topics, build foundational coding and analytical skills, and engage in enrichment activities such as a college and career panel, solar observing at Dearborn Observatory, and team-building games.
REACH is designed as an accessible entry point—no prior experience in programming or astronomy is required. The program is especially committed to engaging students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM, with full or partial tuition assistance available thanks to The Brinson Foundation and other CIERA supporters.
Contact: ciera@northwestern.edu
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College Prep Program Summer In Focus
Each summer, Northwestern University offers a range of immersive two-week seminars for high school students through its College Preparation Program. These seminars combine thought-provoking discussions, focused readings, and collaborative learning to create a dynamic academic experience. In addition to exploring college-level material, students gain valuable exposure to campus life and begin building confidence in navigating a university environment.
The Partnership Office connects students who are part of the AVID program, Evanston Scholars, or who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch to the NU College Preparation Program with full scholarships. These scholarships cover tuition, books, and other program fees, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation for students who stand to benefit most from this transformative experience.
Contact: cpp@northwestern.edu
Consultation with NU Student Groups
The Partnership Office serves as a central hub for Northwestern student organizations seeking to engage with Evanston Township High School (ETHS). We consult with a wide range of groups to provide guidance, foster meaningful outreach, and ensure alignment with ETHS district goals and priorities. Examples of these collaborations include partnerships with Campus Kitchens, Vibrant Colors Collective, Camp Kesem, Relay for Life, and more. By coordinating these efforts, our office helps streamline communication and supports sustained, impactful engagement between Northwestern students and the ETHS community.
Contact: Volunteer Interest Form
CT-STEM
The Computational Thinking in STEM (CT-STEM) project at Northwestern is a collaborative initiative led by the Center for Connected Learning and Computer Modeling. Through this partnership, Evanston Township High School (ETHS) teachers—supported by the Partnership Office—play a key role in designing and implementing innovative curriculum that integrates computational thinking across multiple disciplines. In addition to classroom integration, ETHS educators also serve as co-facilitators in professional development workshops, helping to train fellow teachers and expand the reach of CT-STEM practices throughout the region.
Contact: ctstem@northwestern.edu
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Digital Youth Divas
Digital Youth Divas is an innovative out-of-school program designed to engage middle school girls—particularly those from underrepresented communities—in hands-on, design-based engineering and computer science activities. Developed by researchers at Northwestern University and DePaul University, the program connects girls’ personal interests to STEM through a unique, integrated model that includes creative design projects, compelling narrative storytelling, an online social networking platform, and a supportive community of peers and mentors.
Many District 65 students proudly participate as Digital Divas, and Evanston Township High School’s Women in Engineering (WiENG) students serve as inspiring role models, helping to foster confidence, curiosity, and a lasting interest in STEM fields. The Partnership Office helps support pathways for Divas into WiSTEM and other ETHS opportunities in STEM through connections to mentorship and outreach efforts.
Contact: divas@northwestern.edu
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Emerge
The Community Service Office at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) has maintained a longstanding partnership with Northwestern University, particularly through initiatives like the Emerge Leadership Program. Since its founding in 2008 with support from the Evanston Community Foundation, Emerge has empowered over 250 ETHS students to research local issues and collaborate on community-driven solutions. Many program alumni return as facilitators and mentors, fostering a strong intergenerational network of leadership.
The Partnership Office supports the Emerge program by connecting students with Northwestern faculty, staff, and resources that enrich their projects and learning experiences. We also help connect service learning opportunities where ETHS and NU students can collaborate their efforts for more collective impact.
Contact: Erin Claeys
News
ETHS Marching Band Collaboration
The Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Bands enjoy a vibrant collaboration with the Northwestern University Marching Band through several exciting events. Each year, the two bands perform together, along with 25 other high school bands, at the annual Northwestern Band Day. They also team up with a joint performance as the highlight of the Kits, Cats, and Kids Block Party, celebrating the start of the school year. The collaboration culminates in a spirited performance at the annual Evanston Day Basketball Game, where the bands unite in harmony to energize the crowd.
Contact: Matt Bufis
ETHS Wildkit Academy
Wildkit Academy is a free Saturday academic support program available to all current Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students in grades 9–12. ETHS teachers and staff are on hand to provide support across a wide range of subjects, including test prep, college and career planning, English/reading, executive functioning, history/social science, math, science, physical education, Spanish, and writing.
By connecting through the Partnership Office, university students and alumni support Wildkit Academy, offering one-on-one tutoring, SAT preparation, and mentorship to ETHS students. Through this partnership, ETHS students receive individualized guidance and academic enrichment, while Northwestern volunteers gain valuable experience in teaching, mentorship, and community engagement.
Contact: Michelle Lyle & Kristina Madlangbayan
News
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- Executive functioning program Introduced to Wildkit Academy
- ‘Wildkit Academy’ tutoring program returns to ETHS
- Wildkit Academy at Evanston Township High School to be held Sept. 14
- Wildkit Academy Off to A Roaring Start
- It’s free! Wildkit Academy ACT class deserves more attention
Evanston Scholars
Evanston Scholars is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing college access and success for a diverse cohort of Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students—particularly those who are first-generation college students and come from low-income families. The comprehensive six-year program offers mentorship, college counseling, and academic support, beginning in high school and continuing through all four years of college.
The Partnership Office provides logistical support, resources, and connections to Northwestern student volunteers who serve as mentors and workshop leaders. In addition, current Northwestern students who are Evanston Scholars alumni frequently return to ETHS to support and inspire the next generation of Scholars, helping to build a strong, intergenerational network of college-going students.
Contact: info@evanstonscholars.org
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Family Action Network
The Family Action Network (FAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Evanston that curates a high-quality, thought-provoking speaker series centered on human development, education, mental health, equity, and more. FAN’s mission is to present fresh ideas that elevate minds, expand hearts, and make the world a better place. With a vision of cultivating an informed and compassionate community, FAN offers all programs free and open to the public.
Evanston Township High School (ETHS) frequently hosts FAN events to promote learning and engagement among students, families, and the broader community. Northwestern University proudly supports FAN through annual financial contributions and faculty participation as speakers and moderators in events. The Partnership Office helps cross-promote FAN events so that Northwestern and ETHS students can engage with these amazing free learning opportunities. Additionally, we look for opportunities for co-sponsorship and synergy with events.
Contact: info@familyactionnetwork.net
News & More Information
- Ta-Nehisi Coates comes to ETHS, urges country to confront its past
- “White Fragility” author talks systemic racism, white humility at Family Action Network Q&A
- Virtual FAN Event with Ron Lieber on Jan. 26
- Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown to speak at ETHS
- FAN webinar to focus on communicating with kids
- Virtual FAN event with Eddie S. Glaude Jr. on July 28
- Newbery medal winner Kwame Alexander speaks on power of poetry at ETHS
- Family Action Network Youtube Channel
Feinberg Anatomy Lab Day
The Partnership Office organizes an annual day of events at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, offering Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students a unique opportunity to visit the downtown campus. The high school students in Anatomy and Health Science courses explore pathways to clinical and medical careers through immersive, healthcare-based activities.
Feinberg's Anatomy Lab welcomes the students for rotations exploring organ systems of the human body, led by first and second year medical student volunteers. The Project Med student organization hosts workshops with medical case studies led by pre-med students, MD/PhD students, Physician's Assistant candidates, and current M1 and M2 students.
Contact: Scott Meier
News
Forensics Collaboration
Forensic Science is a laboratory-based course at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) that introduces students to the scientific principles and techniques used in criminal investigations. The curriculum emphasizes the collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence through hands-on learning and scientific reasoning. Topics include crime scene documentation, pattern recognition, DNA analysis, blood spatter interpretation, handwriting analysis, fingerprinting, and more.
To enrich the classroom experience, students also engage with guest speakers from Northwestern’s Center for Wrongful Convictions and the Medill Justice Project, offering real-world insights into the intersection of science, law, and justice. Through the Partnership Office, the ETHS Forensics course has been able to connect with the Baxter Center for Science Education, creating a teacher network of Chicago-area Forensics teachers.
Contact: Adam Held
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is a national organization that promotes learning to code for girls, women, and non-binary individuals. They work together to learn, support, and problem solve all while gaining valuable computer science and design skills. All experience levels are welcome.
The mission of Girls Who Code is to teach and support ETHS students interested in learning to code or developing their current computer programming skills. GWC members will collaboratively develop and complete projects such as designing apps, websites, and scripts during club meetings. The ultimate goal of these projects is to improve students' marketable programming skills while solving problems in the community. This club is inclusive towards all gender identities, with a focus on supporting underrepresented groups in coding regardless of skill level.
The Partnership Office supports Girls Who Code as a community connection to WiSTEM and Northwestern. Since its inception, Girls Who Code has had close ties with NU GradSWE and Women in Computing. The ETHS leaders host sessions on introduction to coding to garner interest from WiSTEM students and contribute to the building network of young women in STEM.
Contact: Nura Hachim
iKit Internship Model
The iKit Summer Internship Program connects graduating Evanston Township High School (ETHS) seniors with local employers for ten-week paid internships aligned with students’ career interests. Launched through a partnership between ETHS, the City of Evanston’s Youth and Young Adult Division, Evanston Community Foundation, and the Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC), the program offers students meaningful work-based learning experiences that often lead to job offers and post-secondary opportunities.
Northwestern IT has proudly participated in iKit, hosting ETHS interns during spring and summer breaks. These students gain valuable real-world experience while building critical technology skills in a professional setting. Northwestern’s involvement helps bridge the gap between high school learning and future career pathways.
The Partnership Office supports ETHS Work-Based Learning programs like iKit by helping to find shadow and employment placements for students at the university and securing a Public Interest Program (PIP) Fellowship to build staff capacity for the high school team.
Contact: Djuwanna K. Frazier
News
International Office Programs
The Community Council for International Students (CCIS) is an all-volunteer organization that partners with Northwestern’s International Office to help international students feel welcomed and supported during their time in the U.S. and at Northwestern University.
Through CCIS, Evanston Township High School (ETHS) families host and connect with international students, building meaningful relationships across cultures. Families and students meet regularly to practice English and engage in conversations about shared interests. Many ETHS families also invite students to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and special events together. This program helps reduce loneliness and fosters a warm, inclusive community for Northwestern’s international students. The Partnership Office supports these collaborative connections to foster community and meaningful relationships.
Kellogg Connections
Kellogg Connections is a mentorship program that pairs students from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management with Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students who are interested in pursuing business careers. Through a series of after-school workshops and field trips, ETHS students experience a mini-MBA-style curriculum, exploring topics such as marketing, operations, and entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2014 with support from the Partnership Office, the program is co-designed with ETHS Business course teachers to ensure relevance and alignment with high school curriculum goals. The program is facilitated by members of the Kellogg Education Club, whose mission is to position Kellogg students for impactful careers and leadership in education, engagement, and entrepreneurship—all in service of advancing justice in society.
Kellogg Connections gives ETHS students an invaluable opportunity to explore business pathways, gain early exposure to college-level thinking, and build lasting mentorships with graduate students passionate about education and equity.
Contact: Chris Manila
News
Kits, Cats, & Kids Block Party
Each fall, more than 1,200 attendees gather at Evanston Township High School’s Lazier Field for the annual Kits, ’Cats and Kids Block Party, a beloved back-to-school celebration hosted by the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, District 65, and District 202. The event brings together students, families, and community members for a festive evening filled with games, inflatables, food trucks, free snacks, and live music.
The ETHS and Northwestern University marching bands team up for a dynamic joint performance, energizing the crowd before a pep rally featuring speeches from leaders across the city and both school districts. Notable speakers have included Superintendent Marcus Campbell, Mayor Daniel Biss, and Dave Davis, Northwestern’s Executive Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations—each affirming the strength of Evanston’s community partnerships.
The Partnership Office organizes over 50 different tables run by student organizations, local non-profits, and Northwestern groups who offer fun engaging activities for learning and play. With free admission and parking, the Block Party is a vibrant, inclusive event that kicks off the academic year with joy, school spirit, and a shared commitment to youth success—culminating in back-to-back football games for both ETHS and Northwestern teams.
Contact: Rebekah Sigman
News
- ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids: Purple pride, orange enthusiasm, gray skies
- Block party celebrates return to school
- ’Kits, ’Cats and Kids Block Party Returns on Thursday, September 9 at Evanston Township High School
- Annual Kits, Cats and Kids event kicks off Evanston school year
- ETHS and Northwestern unite for annual block party
- School pride on display at Evanston’s Kits, Cats and Kids
Leadership Development & Community Engagement (LDCE)
Northwestern’s Student Affairs Office of Leadership Development & Community Engagement (LDCE) supports civic learning and community connection through student-led programming and volunteerism. Through initiatives like the Community Engagement Coalition, LDCE fosters undergraduate involvement in service, social justice education, and youth mentorship.
The Partnership Office coordinates Northwestern volunteers to play an active role in programming and community engagement. For example, students at ETHS and Northwestern help facilitate LDCE's Eva Jefferson Patterson Day, a civil rights education and allyship-building event that welcomes youth from Family Focus in Evanston. LDCE also shares its Leadership Framework with ETHS educators to support student engagement, character development, and growth in leadership.
Contact: Kelly Bencola and Val Buchanan
News
Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art
The Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art partners with Evanston Township High School (ETHS) to deepen student engagement in the arts and humanities. ETHS teachers work closely with museum staff to design custom tours and programming aligned with current exhibitions. These visits offer students unique opportunities to explore creative expression and critical thinking through visual art.
The Block also supports student voices and community-based storytelling. It has hosted several student film festivals, including the Policing Surveillance: A YPRPT (Young People’s Race, Power, and Technology) Documentary Series, which featured documentaries created by ETHS students. This event included a live panel with the student filmmakers and highlighted the intersection of youth media, ethics, and civic engagement. Each year with new exhibitions in the Block Museum, the Partnership Office helps to coordinate different ways for community educators, students, and families to connect to the dynamic themes and contents in the museum art and events.
Contact: block-museum@northwestern.edu
News
Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program
The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) provides Evanston youth and young adults with paid summer jobs and valuable professional mentoring. Each year, Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students participate in pre-employment training sessions led by community volunteers, including Kellogg School of Management MBA students.
As part of the program, dozens of ETHS students are placed in summer positions across Northwestern University. Opportunities span a wide range of departments, including academic research, administrative support, facilities operations, and landscape architecture. This hands-on experience helps students build essential workplace skills while exploring future career pathways in a collegiate environment. The Partnership Office helps to match potential NU employment sites with the MSYEP organizing team.
Contact: msyep@cityofevanston.org
News
MSEd in Educational Studies
Northwestern’s Master of Science in Education program trains the next generation of teachers and educational leaders. Several ETHS Administrators and teachers serve as adjunct faculty in the program, allowing students to learn educational best practices directly from those with lived experience. The Partnership Office coordinates visits for Northwestern students to observe informal and formal learning environments. We also foster connections for the students in the Master program to connect with school district personnel for collaborative projects.
Contact: sesp-tlep@northwestern.edu
National High School Institute
Since its establishment in 1931, the National High School Institute has been hosting exceptional students on Northwestern University's Evanston campus for immersive and comprehensive educational programs. These students are affectionately known as "Cherubs," a term coined by Northwestern Dean Ralph Dennis in the 1930s. His vision was to bring together young people and teachers in an environment of affection, knowledge, and trust—a goal that continues to guide the program today.
As the longest-running and largest university-affiliated initiative of its kind, NHSI offers courses in Theatre Arts, Film & Video, Debate, and Playwriting. Many students from Evanston Township High School (ETHS) have the opportunity to become Cherubs. Northwestern also provides scholarship funds for high-achieving ETHS students from low-income households to attend the prestigious summer program, which are coordinated through the Partnership Office to ensure that families are aware of the opportunity.
Contact: nhsi@northwestern.edu
News
Native & Indigenous Community Engagement
Northwestern University is committed to providing ongoing support to Native and Indigenous community initiatives at Evanston Township High School (ETHS). Leading Northwestern scholars collaborated with ETHS to develop a land acknowledgment and action plan as an important part of recognizing and respecting the Native and Indigenous peoples who have ties to the land. Additionally, Northwestern has offered various teaching and learning opportunities for ETHS students and staff around Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems.
The Partnership Office supports a variety of collaborations and plays an active role in celebrating Indigenous culture and history at ETHS. Northwestern scholars supported ETHS in celebrating its first-ever Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024 with a series of student workshops, all-staff professional development, and a Powwow. The event featured an artist market, information booths, indigenous foods, and singing and dancing. Our office shares the variety of community programming offered by Northwestern groups such as the Center for Native and Indigenous Research (CNAIR), Native and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA), Indigenous Graduate Student Collective (ISGC), and the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI).
Contact: cnair@northwestern.edu
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NEERA
The Northwestern Evanston Educational Research Alliance (NEERA) is a collaborative initiative that brings together District 202, District 65, and Northwestern University partners. NEERA focuses on data-sharing, research alignment, and building capacity for the Research and Evaluation Departments within the school districts.
As a leader in the national network of the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships (NNERPP), NEERA supports numerous collaborative efforts with ETHS. Through this partnership, NEERA facilitates independent, objective evaluation of major ETHS initiatives, supports the work of research fellows who collaborate with the ETHS Research and Evaluation Department, and assists teachers in designing evidence-based best practices.
These collaborations enhance the quality and impact of educational programs and initiatives, providing valuable insights that help to shape policies and practices in Evanston schools. Additionally, the Partnership Office works to support Northwestern students and faculty to learn from the transformative educational environment at ETHS.
Contact: Jana Grabarek
News
- School research team reports progress
- Researchers to Study School Reform in Evanston
- Northwestern researchers secure $5.9M in grants for Evanston student success study
- NU, Evanston school district partnership presents findings on student performance
- NEERA Model to Predict Persistence in College Will Be Ready Soon for Eighth and Ninth Grades
- NU gets $6M to boost Evanston students’ success
- Northwestern and Evanston: Working Together for Equity and Excellence
Northwestern Splash
Northwestern Splash is a student-run organization that hosts an annual event offering free, one-day mini-courses for high school students from across the greater Chicago area—especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and staff design and teach their own unique classes on topics ranging from nanomaterials to American Sign Language.
Many ETHS students participate in Splash each year, selecting their own class schedules and experiencing a day in the life of a college student. The program empowers students to explore new interests, consider possible careers, and engage joyfully in learning—all while building connections with the Northwestern community and campus. The Partnership Office helps to amplify Splash as a great opportunity for high school students.
Contact: splash@u.northwestern.edu
NU Equipment Donations
Northwestern University generously donates gently used laboratory equipment to Evanston Township High School (ETHS) for classroom use. Past donations have included items such as micropipettes, probe-ware, a centrifuge, liquid nitrogen dewars, and scales. In 2024 Northwestern's Segal Design Institute donated over $10,000 worth of 3D printers and supplies, enhancing ETHS's design and technology programs. The Partnership Office facilitates matching needs and resources, organizing equipment transfers, and assisting with donation reporting requirements.
Contact: bcse@northwestern.edu
Poetry Week Collaboration
Poetry Week is an annual tradition at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) that inspires students through a variety of activities, including poetry readings, writing workshops, and the opportunity to perform their own poems during the end-of-week Open Mic event. Students from all grade levels participate each year, creating a vibrant celebration of creativity and expression.
Originally started in 2002 by retired ETHS librarian Nancy Figel, Poetry Week aims to deepen students’ interest in poetry and provide them with a platform to express themselves. The Partnership Office supports Poetry Week by connecting collaborators and supporting a series of reading and writing workshops. These programs are led by Northwestern faculty experts and student volunteers, fostering an engaging and educational environment for all participants.
Contact: Shari Iverson
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Practicum Sites
The School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University requires undergraduate students to complete a practicum experience as part of their program. To fulfill this requirement, students spend one term at an off-campus internship that aligns with their academic interests, where they gain hands-on skills and insight into professional routines.
Each year, Evanston Township High School (ETHS) serves as a practicum site for several Northwestern students, primarily those studying education and human development. These students acquire valuable real-world experience in teaching and administration. Additionally, Northwestern alumni who now serve as ETHS faculty members actively engage with these future educators by offering mentorship, guest speaking opportunities, and participating in discussions. The Partnership Office is a host site for practicum students and coordinates efforts to facilitate matching with other ETHS departments for practicum placements.
Contact: Rebekah Stathakis
Project Med
Project Med is an undergraduate-led organization at Northwestern University focused on educating and preparing high school students for careers in healthcare, with a particular emphasis on students from underserved communities. The organization's mission is to help bridge educational inequities and inspire young people to consider healthcare careers.
Project Med offers key pathways for ETHS students to explore STEAM careers. First, they provide an extensive online resource bank featuring lessons such as "Getting Involved in Healthcare," "Demystifying Research," and "Applying to College." This resource is designed to give students the foundational knowledge they need to navigate healthcare career opportunities. Additionally, the organization hosts an online database that connects students with opportunities for research, volunteering, or shadowing in healthcare settings, offering hands-on experience and exposure to different career paths.
Second, Project Med facilitates close mentorships that help students build meaningful connections and gain valuable insights. Mentors, ranging from undergraduate students to medical school faculty, offer guidance on a variety of topics, including essay writing, interview preparation, and building the confidence and skillsets necessary for pursuing a healthcare career.
In addition to these resources, Project Med organizes guest speaker events and hands-on workshops for ETHS Health Science Careers Course, Anatomy Course, and the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club. They have led sessions on heart dissections, first aid, and menstrual equity. They have also brought in speakers to cover topics like radiology, GI psychology, endocrinology, psychiatry, and dermatology. These events provide students with direct access to industry professionals, help them develop new skillsets, and expand their understanding of healthcare fields.
Project MED also provides STEM outreach in the community through the Partnership Office and the Baxter Center for Science Education, including participation in events like STEM Fest and the Kits, 'Cats, and Kids Block Party, along with providing career connections and additional workshops to schools in the Chicagoland area.
Contact: info@theprojectmed.org
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Public Interest Program Fellowship
The Northwestern Public Interest Program (PIP) is a year-long fellowship supported by the Center for Civic Engagement. This fellowship is designed to prepare Northwestern University graduates to become the next generation of leaders in social change through paid public interest work. Fellows are placed across a diverse range of public sectors.
Coordinated by the Partnership Office, ETHS serves as a site host for multiple PIP fellows each year. The fellows contribute to various areas, including Community Service, Design Innovation, Equity, and Work-Based Learning. Their work supports the school’s commitment to community engagement and enhances the opportunities available to students.
Contact: engage@northwestern.edu
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Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Delta Alpha Boulé
The Delta Sigma Boulé Foundation is dedicated to developing the next generation of African American leaders. The program offers scholarships, individual mentorship, professional development coaching, and summer internships to young Black men. It is an affiliate of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
Numerous Northwestern faculty, staff, and students volunteer with the Boulé Foundation, many of whom are mid-career members of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Working in collaboration with the Partnership Office, Delta Sigma Boulé Foundation connects with Black Men LEAD Northwestern students.
Contact: Jim Belcher
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Simpli-Sci
Northwestern students founded a startup called Simpli-Sci with the mission of transforming how science is communicated and making scientific research more accessible to all audiences. To achieve this, they design comic-style illustrations that simplify and visually explain complex scientific concepts.
The Partnership Office facilitates a partnership between Simpli-Sci and ETHS science teachers, enabling the creation of engaging, graphic learning tools that support classroom instruction and help students better understand key scientific topics.
Contact: capedclinicians@gmail.com
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Social Consciousness Series at ETHS (SCS)
The ETHS Social Consciousness Series (SCS) includes programs and events that invite critical reflection and examine institutional practices. Aligned with district goals, the events in the Social Consciousness Series isolate race to further the adaptive work of disrupting anti-Black racism and creating a sense of belonging for every ETHS student. The Partnership Office supports the Social Consciousness Series through coordinating NU faculty and students in various ways to engage each year. This has including organizing panels and breakout sessions, co-designing workshops, and bringing in keynote speakers, workshop facilitators, and student groups for performances.
Student summits are in-school field trips organized by educators and students to create spaces for relationship building and healthy identity development. Using an affinity group model, each student summit contributes to the establishment of an antiracist culture of belonging where students feel visible, heard, and valued. Summits facilitate racialized conversations about identity and center the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) first and foremost.
The Black Student Summit has been held annually for over ten years and centers identity and race through critical reflection and the creation of intentional discussion spaces. Previous years have included workshops and discussions on mental health, natural hair care, crafting, HBCUs, intersectionality, and Black Joy.
The Latinx Student Summit empowers and uplifts the heritage and experiences of Latinx students in Evanston, with workshops on cooking, dancing, art, activism, and discussions that foster a sense of community.
The LGBTQIA+ Student Summit focuses on the lived experiences of students who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. The event features workshops, presentations, and performances covering topics like LGBTQ+ history, sex education, and advocacy. It also encourages art exploration through poetry, crafts, and drag makeup. Students also the intersection of their identities such as racial identity and spirituality.
The Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian (MENAA) Student Summit honors the cultural diversity of ETHS's student and staff population. Past events have included dance performances, a fashion show, tea-tasting, and more.
Abilities Awareness Week celebrates the experiences of those with disabilities through workshops, speakers, and activities that raise awareness and encourage inclusivity.
Contact: Lauren Hamilton
News
- In Lak’ech and solidarity: celebrating ten years of the Black Student Summit
- Ten years of summits at ETHS
- ETHS board praises impact of Social Consciousness Series
- Black Joy: Students reflect on 2022 Black Student Summit
- Social Consciousness
- ETHS Expands Social Consciousness with Four Student Summits
- Black student summits aim to build off last year
- ETHS holds first Black Female Summit
- Evanston Township High School community lauds first Black Male Summit
- ETHS takes steps to engage black male students
- Black Male Summit Strikes a Needed Chord in the Community
- ETHS holds events for black students
- Evanston Township High School community lauds first Black Male Summit
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPEjr)
Evanston Township High School (ETHS) hosts a junior chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE Jr.), an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting diversity in engineering career pathways. The SHPE Jr. chapter at ETHS works closely with Northwestern University's SHPE student chapter, receiving valuable mentorship and collaboration.
Each year, SHPE Jr. at ETHS competes in the Chicago Regional Science Bowl (RSB), an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their engineering and science skills. To help prepare for this competition, Northwestern SHPE student coaches lead Saturday practice sessions, giving ETHS students guidance and support. In addition to preparing for the RSB, students also benefit from attending the annual SHPE Regional Leadership Development Conference (RLDC) where they engage in leadership training and network with professionals in the field. Beyond the competitions, SHPE Jr. members also participate in local SHPE Chicago events and STEM speaker sessions, offering them even more exposure to the engineering community. Northwestern SHPE student volunteers enhance this experience by providing mentorship and offering ETHS students the chance to visit engineering labs, furthering their hands-on learning and career exploration in the STEM field.
The NU SHPE and ETHS SHPE Jr. chapters participate jointly in community STEM outreach work through the Partnership Office, including STEM Fest, the Kits, 'Cats, and Kids Block Party, and STEAMbassadors.
Contact: Michelle Vazquez
News & More Information
- Northwestern’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers works to diversify, increase outreach
- ETHS Hispanic Professional Engineers Wins First Place at Regionals
- Students continue service, activism during COVID-19
- Northwestern/ETHS partnership office prioritizes diversity in STEM pathways
- Kiwanis Club Honors ETHS SHPEjr Students
- SHPE craves victory in Regional Science Bowl
- Evanston High School Team Places Eighth in Division at National Science Bowl
- NU-ETHS Partnership Opens Pathways for Students of Both Schools
- Society of Women Engineers Hosts 2024 Career Day for Girls
- Society of Women Engineers Hosts 2023 Career Day for Girls
- NU-ETHS Partnership Opens Pathways for Students of Both
- Northwestern University Society of Women Engineers
- Northwestern’s National Society of Black Engineers Named ‘Large Chapter of the Year’
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Northwestern Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) plays a central role in inspiring the next generation of women in STEM through a variety of outreach initiatives. Each year, SWE undergraduate members host Career Day for Girls, a free event that welcomes over 300 middle and high school students from across the Chicagoland area. Participants engage in hands-on engineering activities and competitions, hear from inspirational keynote speakers, take lab tours, and participate in community-building discussions—all designed to spark interest in engineering and applied sciences among young women. SWE undergraduates also collaborate with the partnership office to visit Evanston Township High School’s WiSTEM program to participate in panel discussions, offer college student shadow days, and provide mentorship opportunities that help ETHS students envision themselves in STEM pathways.
Graduate members (GradSWE) extend this support by hosting evening lab tours and organizing an annual lab shadow day for WiSTEM students. These experiences provide a deeper look into research environments and academic life at the graduate level, further demystifying STEM careers and promoting inclusivity in science and engineering fields.
Contact: swe@u.northwestern.edu
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STEAM Design Thinking and Innovation
In the fall of 2017, Evanston Township High School launched the STEAM Design Thinking & Innovation (STEAM DTI) course for seniors, modeled after interdisciplinary programs at Northwestern University. This 85-minute, two-semester honors course combines science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through design thinking. The course was co-designed in collaboration with the Partnership Office with a focus on creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
In the first semester, students tackle problem-based challenges using the scientific method, agile development, user-centered design, and data analysis. In the second semester, they work on community-based projects, applying these skills to real-world issues with guidance from coaches and clients from Northwestern and Evanston community partners. This course provides an innovative and challenging college preparatory experience for seniors, preparing them for future success in STEAM fields.
The Partnership Office engages with STEAM teachers each year iterating on curriculum and incorporating leading edge teaching, learning, and design approaches. We also use our community connections to make recommendations on contacts for coaches, clients, community partners for the student groups and thought partners for the annual think-tank events.
Contact: ariasj@eths202.org
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Students Organized Against Racism
SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism) is a group open to all students at ETHS who are interested in engaging in the school's equity work and moving the culture of ETHS to one that is more anti-racist. Students develop ways of understanding complex relations between self and systems of oppression and work together to challenge and change institutional practices that negatively impact all students, especially students of color.
Through Partnership Office support, SOAR hosts an annual student-led conference at Northwestern University. The SOAR student leadership board facilitates two days of programming covering topics of race, co-conspiratorship, action, and current events. Cohorts from surrounding Chicago area schools attend as well in an effort to learn together and participate in this youth-led anti-racist community collective.
Contact: TaRhonda Woods
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Technological Innovations for Inclusive Learning & Teaching (tiilt) Lab
The Technological Innovations for Inclusive Learning and Teaching (tiilt) Lab works to improve learning opportunities for students in underserved communities. Their efforts include co-designing activities with educators and students, creating inclusive interfaces, and developing tools to study complex learning environments.
One example project, SportSense, collaborated with ETHS soccer teams and statistics teachers to experiment with smart soccer and basketballs. The project explores how athletics can be a powerful space for learning and how computer science can enhance athletic performance. Additionally, the research team collected surveys from ETHS athletes to understand their attitudes toward computer science, aiming to improve diversity in STEM fields. Connecting through the Partnership Office, the tiilt Lab team participates in community STEM outreach events, connects with Camp Kuumba, and leads professional development work with the ETHS Data Science teaching team.
Contact: tiiltlab@gmail.com
News
- Marcelo Worsley Named Jacobs Fellow
- Rediscovering Childhood at the ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference
- Dawes School’s fifth graders burn calories in computer science class
- ‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
- Speaker Series: Dr. Marcelo Aaron Bonilla Worsley
Technology, Race, Ethics, and Equity in Education (TREE) Lab
The Young People’s Race, Power, and Technology Project (YPRPT) brought together Northwestern University and Evanston Township High School students to create short films exploring the intersection of race, power, and technology. Topics chosen by students have included Social Media and Young People’s Mental Health, 3D Printing and Fashion Design, and Video Games and Cybersecurity. These videos are used as learning resources in various ETHS courses.
The Critical AI Ethics Curriculum working group, a collaboration between Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy’s TREE Lab, the Responsible AI Student Organization (RAISO), the Kapor Center, and ETHS focuses on developing educational resources. The group includes researchers, undergraduate students, high school students, and educators working together to explore and critically examine the social and ethical implications of AI.
Contact: Sepehr Vakil
News & More Information
- Prioritizing Ethics in the Computer Science Curriculum
- Northwestern’s AI Club looks towards the future
- Young People’s Race, Power, and Technology 2021 Film Festival
- Young filmmakers take on policing, surveillance, and technology at Block Cinema [Video]
- Policing Surveillance: Films by Young People's Race, Power, and Technology
WiSTEM
WiSTEM (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is an Evanston Township High School (ETHS) student group that is open to all students. The Partnership Office team designed the space in collaboration with ETHS student leaders with support from Northwestern students and faculty to create a unique and dynamic intergenerational learning community.
WiSTEM meetings provide a platform for community and conversation by fostering a safe, supportive and encouraging environment for students. The ETHS student organization has grown from 10 to over 220 participants each year. Programming includes college student panels, guest speakers, shadow days, design challenges, outreach opportunities and special events.
WiSTEM provides an opportunity for many Northwestern University student organizations and laboratories to engage with young women in the pipeline. Partner organizations include: Digital Youth Network, Society of Women Engineers, Graduate Out in STEM, Girls Who Code, and the Baxter Center for Science Education.
WiENG (Women in Engineering), is a branch of WiSTEM that engages participants to explore design challenges in a safe, affirming environment. In this way, participants gain critical construction skills and build a portfolio of experiences. Students meet weekly to conduct in-depth, long-term engineering explorations. Weekly sessions include projects such as building soil batteries, designing underwater robots for competitions, and experimenting with conservation techniques like cochineal dyeing.
WiSTEM receives generous support from the Caitlin Westerfield WiSTEM Fund, which helps create more spaces that enable girls and women to discover, pursue, persist, and thrive in STEM—fostering curiosity, confidence, community, and celebration.
Read our full 2024 report here.
Contact: Kristen Perkins
News & More Information
- Caitlin Westerfield WiSTEM Fund
- Exploring Experiences Around WiSTEM
- WiSTEM strives to get more girls in STEM
- NU-ETHS Partnership Opens Pathways for Students of Both Northwestern University and ETHS
- ETHS delivers update on partnership program with Northwestern
- Evanston high school parents look for educational opportunities at Northwestern
Youth Technology Corps
Youth Technology Corps (YTC) operates a peer learning system rooted in education and social justice, evolving since its founding in 1998. Participants first learn to refurbish computers, which are then donated to global communities. They also mentor recipients abroad, teaching them coding skills. YTC has donated dozens of refurbished computers to local nonprofit and community agencies, including Evanston’s Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, Curt’s Cafe, Bethel A.M.E. Church, the City of Evanston’s Youth and Young Adult department, and partner schools in Durango, Mexico.
YTC is now expanding its collaborations with the McCormick School of Engineering and the Rotary Club, hosting fellows from the US State Department’s Community Engagement Fellows program. Fueled by advancements in virtual participation, YTC is uniquely positioned to offer an innovative approach to STEM education and societal reform, especially in addressing the inequities in STEM learning exacerbated by the post-pandemic world. The Partnership Office supports YTC by connecting resources and hosting the annual delegation of students, school leaders, and government officials from Mexico.
Contact: David Finkel