Chicago Public Schools Launches National STEM Honor Society Recruitment Month

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CHICAGO --In celebration of National STEM Day, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Department of STEM is launching a monthlong recruitment initiative to encourage schools across the District to explore establishing chapters of the National STEM Honor Society (NSTEM). The national recognition program celebrates student achievement, fosters leadership, and inspires excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"Our students are demonstrating the qualities needed to become innovators, scholars, and leaders," said CPS CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. "Through the National STEM Honor Society, we have an opportunity to recognize their accomplishments, amplify their voices, and create more opportunities for them to lead. This initiative is about celebrating the excellence already happening across our District while helping students envision what is possible for their futures."

There are currently 25 NSTEM Chapters across CPS. The initiative builds on three years of Districtwide STEM efforts that have expanded access to meaningful STEM experiences, elevated academic achievement, and created opportunities for young people to explore their interests, strengthen their skills, and develop as leaders.

Across CPS, students are already demonstrating what STEM excellence looks like in action. From robotics and esports (electronic sports games) to aviation, healthcare, medical sciences, engineering, coding, and STEM-focused student organizations, students are applying critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills to explore new possibilities and prepare for future careers. A CPS video highlights some of these STEM opportunities.

The National STEM Honor Society offers schools an opportunity to recognize these accomplishments, celebrate students' dedication to learning, and create additional pathways for young people to lead, serve, mentor, and innovate within their school communities.

"STEM excellence is already happening in our schools every day, and our students deserve opportunities to have that excellence recognized and celebrated," said the CPS Executive Director of Stem Dr. Corey Morrison. "By connecting students' existing interests and experiences with opportunities for recognition, mentorship, service, and leadership, we can help them see themselves not only as participants in STEM, but also as the scholars and innovators shaping its future."

Through NSTEM, participating schools can build on existing STEM programs and experiences while creating a stronger culture of academic excellence, student leadership, and career exploration. Key opportunities include:

• Celebrating Academic Excellence: Recognize students for their academic accomplishments, engagement in STEM, and commitment to continuous learning.
• Elevating Student Leadership: Create opportunities for student voice, peer mentorship, community service, collaboration, and innovation.
• Building on Existing STEM Experiences: Use established clubs, extracurricular activities, competitions, and STEM-related programs as pathways to student recognition and engagement.
• Strengthening Schoolwide STEM Culture: Cultivate a community of scholars who champion STEM excellence, encourage collaboration, and inspire their peers to explore future academic and career opportunities.
• Supporting School-Based Leadership: Explore opportunities for advisor compensation through eligible STEM program funding, supporting educators who establish, guide, and sustain NSTEM chapters.

Throughout the recruitment month, CPS schools are encouraged to explore the benefits of establishing a National STEM Honor Society chapter and learn how participation can complement the outstanding STEM experiences already taking place in their school communities. The District's outreach has expanded over time, focusing on principals, assistant principals, and STEM coordinators. Most schools that establish a chapter through NSTEM have about 25 student members meeting the NSTEM requirements and also offer some type of STEM programming, either as official STEM schools or through afterschool programs.

The initiative reinforces the District's commitment to ensuring students have access to opportunities that recognize their achievements, nurture their talents, and prepare them to pursue future academic and professional pathways in STEM. By engaging school leaders, educators, advisors, and students in this effort, CPS aims to strengthen connections between STEM participation and student recognition while fostering a culture in which achievement, leadership, and innovation are celebrated across the District.

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