Building bridges was a recurring theme this summer in our emerging collaboration with a school on Chicago’s West Side.
That connectivity came to life both literally and figuratively as Northern Illinois University faculty, staff and students partnered with Altus Academy, a tuition-free private school serving students in East Garfield Park and neighboring communities. Over five days of STEM, entrepreneurship and college-readiness programming, NIU introduced young learners to new academic disciplines, career possibilities and educational pathways.
The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) played a leading role in the initiative. Dean Dave Grewell and colleagues traveled to Chicago to engage students through hands-on engineering activities, including a bridge-design challenge using West Point Bridge Designer software.
Students learned how engineers balance safety, performance and cost while testing their designs in a virtual environment. The activity sparked creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.
“We’re dedicated to engaging and mentoring the next generation, and there’s something special happening at Altus,” Grewell said. “It was amazing to see the creativity, resourcefulness and tenacity of these youngsters.”
The partnership, flowing out of the vision of a group of NIU alumni led by Altus founder John Heybach, extended well beyond engineering. Students also explored robotics, health sciences, entrepreneurship and education through interactive sessions led by faculty and staff from multiple NIU colleges. The week concluded with a visit to NIU’s DeKalb campus, where participants experienced college life firsthand, met university leaders and continued their hands-on learning.
At its core, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and inspiring future generations.
For CEET, it offered a chance to showcase engineering as an accessible, creative and impactful field while encouraging students to envision themselves pursuing higher education.
Read the full story in NIU Today: NIU, Altus Academy partnership connects Chicago youth with STEM, entrepreneurship and college exploration
