The "Maker" Gap: How Chicago Youth Centers' Maker Labs bridge the achievement gap and prepare children for success
World Maker Faire 2016
October 1st-2nd
Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) wants to provide 21st Century Learning to youth of underserved communities. In a bold move, it transforms learning spaces into Maker Labs and offers STEM with Arts Integration in a new program model. In only a year, CYC fully reinvigorates the learning exchange!!!
Steven Willis
Steven L. Willis is the STEM Program Manager at Chicago Youth Centers (CYC). He has been working with diverse Chicago youth and families for close to 10 years. His passion is STEM teaching and learning with a focus on technology. Steven is currently responsible for developing a robust hands-on STEM program to be practiced across all CYC centers and transforming teaching spaces into Maker Labs.
http://www.chicagoyouthcenters.org
Tina Ayala
Tina Ayala has been working with Chicago Youth Centers over the past 20 years. She is currently the Director of Programs and Operations. Tina excels in board development, community collaborations, and program development / compliance. It is her goal to secure funding and partnerships in order for all of the out-of-school time sites at Chicago Youth Centers to build fully functioning Maker Labs.
Monica Wizgird
Monica spends most of her time collaborating with her art students at Chicago Youth Centers (CYC). She also serves as a member of CYC’s STEAM Team, a group responsible for establishing three Maker Labs and providing access to STEAM education to all of the youth of CYC. In her spare time, she loves taking pictures, attending concerts, gardening and cooking.
