Project Exploration students know what they did this summer

William Slaughter has spent more than four years mentoring other young people through Project Exploration, an educational nonprofit that, among other things, helps students explore career possibilities through its summer programs.

Positive community programs like that have a real impact, Slaughter believes, and on Thursday at Columbus Park, that impact was on display.

During a showcase at the Columbus Park Refectory, students got to show off what they'd been doing this summer.

Some got a taste of a range of career interests. Others worked on projects in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"If you give us other places to have fun that encourage positivity, structure, and discipline, we’ll be good. We’ll be powerful," said Slaughter, who just graduated from Illinois State University.

William Slaughter, 22, a mentor for Project Exploration, checks on a brood of chicks at the Columbus Park Refectory, where Project Exploration held a summer showcase of students’ projects — which included hatching and caring for the baby chicks.

Kieran Stover/Sun-Times

Among many other projects, students were able to explore environmental science, gardening and the culinary arts. Some even took care of incubating eggs — and looked after the baby chicks, once the eggs hatched.

Natasha Smith-Walker, executive director of Project Exploration, told the Sun-Times the organization has dedicated over 25 years of service expanding STEM opportunities for youth in the city, particularly on the South and West sides.

"We've really leaned into the STEM education," Smith-Walker said. "It's been an opportunity for us to understand the out-of-school time landscape, but also to help deliver opportunities for young people."

Natasha Smith-Walker, executive director of Project Exploration, directs students outside of the Columbus Park Refectory in Austin during a Project Exploration student showcase on Thursday.

Kieran Stover/Sun-Times

The organization offers after-school programs during the school year, as well as camps during Spring Break and a six-week summer program.

Historically, Project Exploration has served students in grades 5-12, but the establishment of the STEM Learning Center on Chicago’s West Side provided the opportunity to establish programs serving even younger students. The Launch program, as its called, focuses on kindergarten through third grade, with the goal of engaging their natural curiosity in STEM.

"We really became embedded in what happens in the Austin community," Smith-Walker said.

This summer, Project Exploration worked with Douglass High School — hiring, mentoring, and training over 20 of its students.

"They’re the young people who are giving back, and we’ve seen a significant amount of growth in how they’ve shown up," Smith-Walker said.

One student project involved creating this model house what was on display during the Project Exploration summer programming showcase at the Columbus Park Refectory on Thursday.

"I came to Project Exploration thinking, 'Oh, it's just work,'" said Carlton Thomas, 18, one of the student leaders. "But I was really able to build a foundation with my peers, able to kind of build a sense of family or community. ... It helps keep kids out the way, out of the street. And plus, it’s fun.”

Students also pushed for city leaders to invest more into youth-centered programming rather than focusing on restrictions or curfews.

"Everybody’s so focused on keeping the teens in the house and shutting everything down," said Destiny Norris, 15. "Make stuff that's fun. We're teenagers — we want to have fun."

One student project looked at wildlife behavior. Those results and the work of other students was on display during a Project Exploration summer programming showcase at the Columbus Park Refectory in Austin on Thursday.

Kieran Stover/Sun-Times

Several students noted the program opened their eyes to new career paths and helped them build confidence speaking in public and working alongside peers from various backgrounds.

“Kids have to learn, because some kids grow up not knowing what to do in their life,” 9-year-old Eden Giles said.

Smith-Walker said she especially enjoyed seeing parents view their children’s achievements and celebrate the hard work of the youth mentors. What began as just another summer job or experience has transformed into a blossoming student community.

"We got to the finish line strong, supported one another, and we really have seen quite a bit of growth," she said.

Some Project Exploration students hatched these chicks during this summer’s program. The chicks were brought to the summer showcase in Columbus Park that highlighted student work.

Kieran Stover/Sun-Times

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