Project Exploration

GEMSSA is committed to ending systemic racism in science by investing in the Chicago community and inspiring the next generation of scientists. At the institutional level, less than 2% of PIs on research project grants are Black or African American and about 5% of doctorate recipients are Black or African American.  Project Exploration works to ensure communities traditionally overlooked by science—particularly minority youth and girls—have access to personalized experiences with science and scientists. They run many youth programs which impact the lives of hundreds of students each year by fostering a long-term interest in science.

Project Exploration students are three times more likely to enroll in a four-year college than their peers, and over one third of alumni major in a STEM-related field. In addition to their youth-science pathway programs, they also run Project SYSTEMIC: an NSF-funded initiative to broaden participation of African American youth in STEM learning opportunities in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. 

With your generous contributions, we aim to raise $500 for the next generation of Chicago scientists and work to end racism in academia. Please visit Project Exploration and the GEMSSA website for more resources and information on how you can use your voice for change.