Illinois Tech Youth Programs

Illinois Tech Youth Programs include events, camps, clubs, and tutoring that focus on science and STEM topics. Activities include science cafes with scientific presentations, Block City Community Building Day where participants build a city out of LEGO blocks, and the Aero-STEM Expo with flight simulators, mini-drones, and robots. Illinois Tech’s summer camps offer high school students the chance to learn more about technology, business, architecture, science, engineering, or computers.

• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Starting the summer after ninth grade, SMASH Illinois students live and study at Illinois Tech for five weeks
• Price: SMASH Academy—a free, three-year STEM-focused residential college prep program

Founded in 1890, Illinois Institute of Technology has a 130-year legacy of excellence in academics, research, and innovation. The programming that the Office of Community Affairs provides to children in Bronzeville and the surrounding communities seeks to bring them together with Illinois Tech faculty, students, and staff to foster an affinity for science and STEM programs. Illinois Tech has partnered with SMASH Academy to help create those pathways. Science cafes bring children together with Illinois Tech faculty members for a scientific presentation, either in person or virtually. Block City Community Building Day is an annual family event hosted on campus, and the Aero-STEM Expo is held annually and introduces Chicago students to the aviation and aerospace fields, with industry professionals on hand to provide mentoring opportunities.

Last updated April 18, 2026.