The ComEd Youth Ambassadors from Columbia College Chicago,  showcased their work at the 2013 After School Matters Annual Gala. The Gala helps raise money to allow After School Matters to provide programs to the youth in Chicago. This year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel came to the Gala and had the chance to listen to the teens as they showed him their skills and knowledge on electrical energy. ComEd  CEO Anne Pramaggiore and former Mayor Richard M. Daley were among the featured guest at the event.

Throughout this summer, the teens underwent a rigorous 8-week program to understand the importance of energy management and to develop the skills through ComEd’s Smart Grid initiatives. With 23 students in attendance taught by two instructors from Columbia College Chicago, the ComEd Youth Ambassadors program helped introduce science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts and careers related subjects in energy generation and distribution.

CHICAGO, October 9, 2013— Scientists for Tomorrow had a successful event at Fiesta Familiar 2013, with over 200 participants attending their workshops.  The event hosted by the leading Hispanic newspaper in Chicago, Hoy, took place on September 28, 2013 at Lincoln Park Zoo.

The six workshops offered by Scientists for Tomorrow, had more than 30 participants for each session and lines of attendees waiting to get in. Marcelo Caplan, Associate Professor at Columbia College Chicago, and Scientists for Tomorrow instructors, Ashley Conroy and Eliza Talamantes, conducted the workshops throughout the day. They taught the basics of electricity and showed the participants how to build a Circuit Monster and a Magic Hat. After the workshop, every participant was able to take their activity home.

With the collaboration of various organizations from Chicago, Fiesta Familiar 2013 offers live entertainment, interactive activities and  subject based workshops for the whole family. For more information visit