Robot dance parties and hydraulic claws. Computer spy games. Designs for remote controls you can’t lose and tables that swing into place from the back of your couch. These are some of the projects that high school students made as part of Peoples Gas After School Matters summer apprenticeships, developed with Project SYNCERE. This year’s summer projects had an unexpected, high-tech twist: they were all created by teams of students working virtually to keep themselves and their educators safe from COVID-19. While many summer programs were cancelled for 2020, Peoples Gas, Project SYNCERE and After School Matters made sure this program went forward virtually. In addition to their projects, students learned about natural gas and energy careers in fun ways. They created a TikTok mashup video to teach others about natural gas safety in homes and in the streets. The following students were selected by their teachers and peers as MVPs in their programs:
E-CADEMY – Applied Science and Engineering
• Tyler Lee (Kenwood Academy)
• Amari Peters (Little Black Pearl Art and Design Academy)
ENpowered 1 – Applied Science, Engineering and Robotics
• Shiloh Ajiginni (Latin School of Chicago)
• Chinonyerem Nwankpa (Kenwood Academy)
ENpowered 2 – Applied Science, Engineering and Robotics
• Brandon Anaguano (GCE Lab School)
• Portia Aning (St. Ignatius College Prep)