ComEd Create a Spark
ComEd STEM Programs are designed to catalyze social change one student at a time by empowering individuals to reimagine possibilities. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development, ComEd is shaping the leaders of tomorrow and inspiring them to solve present and future problems. The ComEd Create a Spark Program, in partnership with The NEED Project, seeks to supplement 9th – 12th grade Illinois students ongoing education through a fun project-based STEM lesson utilizing real-world examples and mentored by experienced engineering professionals. Students have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by a ComEd engineer, learn to solve energy and engineering-based problems in a team-oriented environment, and engage with ComEd mentors on discussions of career connections.
ComEd Scholars Mentor Program
Each year ComEd selects a group of scholarship winners who become part of the ComEd Scholars Mentor program. These college students work on engaging engineering challenges with ComEd mentors and create a final project and presentation to share with ComEd leadership. The sessions allow students to learn more about ComEd, engage with an energy professional working at ComEd and to do some really cool projects too.
ComEd Future of Energy Scholarship
ComEd launched its Future of Energy program and our team at The NEED Project is proud to partner with ComEd and Exelon to expand education and workforce development opportunities and to support the next generation of innovators. The Future of Energy Scholarship provides young adults with up to $10,000 in a scholarship designed to be used towards college tuition and related expenses. The top three to four applicants will also receive an internship offer, pending successful completion of the hiring process. Future of Energy Scholarship recipients may apply for renewal annually. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be accepted into an eligible degree program, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and submit an application. Individuals with family working for ComEd are not eligible for this scholarship.
For more information and to apply for the ComEd Future of Energy Scholarship, visit: https://need.force.com/ComEd/s/scholarship-information. For more information on ComEd’s STEM scholarship opportunities, contact WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com
Aris Off-Grid Lighting Program
As part of the Community of the Future Initiative, ComEd partnered with Aris Renewable Energy, Chicago Housing Authority, and Chicago Public Schools to install off-grid, remote powered lighting units in the Bronzeville Community to provide safety in underlit/underserved areas, and to educate the community on renewable generation, energy storage, and grid resiliency. These off-grid, hybrid LED street lights, or RPUs, consist of five key components: a steel pole, an LED lamp, a wind turbine, a solar panel, and an energy storage unit. These off-grid installations provide wonderful teaching opportunities to educate students. NEED is proud to partner with ComEd to provide the curriculum materials for this “powerful” program!