The document discusses Chicago's Summer of Learning (CSOL) initiative, which aims to engage youth in STEAM learning over the summer. It notes that many Chicago youth are not engaged in learning experiences during the summer and that STEM participation in middle grades is important for future college majors. The CSOL involves collaboration across sectors to provide STEAM programming citywide using badges and partnerships with over 100 youth organizations. The initiative aims to maximize summer learning through an engaging website that connects youth to opportunities and awards badges.

1. CSOL Context+Overview
Chicago Challenges
•Many Chicago youth are not engaged in learning experiences over the summer
•Learning experiences that do occur often are not documented
•STEM participation in middle grades is a gatekeeper for college STEM majors
Chicago Opportunities
•Mayoral control of Schools, Parks, and Library
•Strong history of organizations collaboration in the development of youths’ digital
literacies across informal settings (e.g. Hive + DYN + YOUMedia)
•MacArthur’s Backyard

2. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Summer of Learning is a collective learning strategy that
involves all sectors working towards a shared vision primarily around the theme
of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) learning –
with citywide collaboration and meaningful partnerships.
Building on the full school day and the full school year, Chicago is incorporating
learning into summer youth programming, launching what could be the largest
citywide summer learning campaign in the nation.
Over 100 youth serving institutions have joined the Chicago Summer of Learning

3. Chicago: Badges for Connecting Learning

4. CSOL 2013 Mechanics

5. ‘CSOL Website’ - Summer
Review
In order to maximize summer learning, Mozilla
The website saw deep engagement from
created a website to engage youth in finding
participating youth.
engaging STEAM-based learning opportunities
• Avg Time Per Visit: 6
that are badged.
• 22,000 Learners
• 100
Organizations = XX Programs =520 Org
mins
80,000 Badges Awarded
Badges
• 78,000 Organization Badges
• 88
• 1500 Online Badges
Online Badges
• 7 City Level Badges

6. 30+ Learning Pathways

7. Learning Pathways Details
Each pathway in iRemix is made up of a series of ordered challenges. As users complete challenge they
are able to level up and earn badges.

8. Hybrid and Online Only Challenges
• Comprised of multiple badges
across STEAM categories
• Opportunities for expert mentoring
(f2f and online)
• Artifact-based with showcase
opportunities
Collaborate with peers and mentors on challenges
Share & earn badges on social network
Complete challenges while exploring the city
Earn badges that showcase your skills
• Opportunity to unlock/earn access
to "real-world", content-related assets

9. Implementation Models
Components
Location
•
•
•
•
Online
Drop-in
School-based
City Orgs
Instruction
Mentor led Face-to-Face
Online Simulation
Ordered Activities
Hybrid
•
•
•
•
Drop-in+Simulation
School-Based+Simulation
Drop-in+Hybrid
Drop-in+Ordered
Activities
Citywide+Face-to-Face
Drop-in+Face-to-Face

10. Population Shift over Step Progression by Engagement Group (No Fill)

11. DYN Divas
Components
•
•
•
iRemix Platform: Visibility of peers’ digital artifacts to serve a exemplars and motivators of what is possible
Access to mentors physical and online who can provide the technical support in leveling up
Multiple pathways to achieve higher level goals.
Structure
•
•
•
•
Required attendance on Wednesdays to create community amongst girls.
Optional attendance M,T, TH
Expectation of 10 hrs outside of Wednesday
Incentive system that acknowledges individual progress but requires collective growth to reach higher-level incentives.
Red = girls
Blue = mentors

14. Social Relationships
Representing interactions between
actors
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
S-S
S-P
S-C
S-M
M-M
S-C
M-C

17. CSOL 2014
•
•
•
Pathways: Common Core aligned, increase content creation partners
•
•
Technology: equitable access, multiple access points
Mentorship: extend online and f2f mentorship
Reach: ongoing workshops, neighborhood hubs, school partnership, and
deepened engagement with city organizations
Building capital: Higher Ed, K-12, Employment, Social