Student Engineers Share Their Final Projects, Prep For Horizon Symposium

Students following the engineering program at Horizon Science Academy - McKinley Park are finishing up their final projects to cap off the year and prep for the Horizon Science Academy Engineering Symposium, coming up on Friday, May 24. The high school program, which includes study across engineering disciplines, is yielding results by introducing students to both practical knowledge and engineering career paths.

"Being surrounded by STEM and robotics for the past six years has helped me figure out what I want to do: study mechanical engineering," said Horizon senior Alyssa, who will be attending San Diego State University next year. "Because of classes like physics and engineering, I've learned that I enjoy understanding how things function."

Dozens of students will be sharing their projects at the symposium, which is slated for 1 p.m. to 4:30  p.m. on Friday, May 24, at Plant Chicago, 1400 W. 46th St., Chicago. The public is welcome to attend, and especially those with professional connections to science and engineering careers and institutes of higher education.

The academy's engineering curriculum ranges from senior-level studies in engineering processes to specific disciplines such as aerospace engineering. Classes in fundamental engineering principals also provide instruction in building skills. Throughout the year, students have engaged in hands-on work in tasks like programming Arduino circuit boards, designing and constructing composite materials, and gauging aerodynamic performance based off wind tunnel data.

"I've always been interested in space and airplanes," said Horizon Science Academy senior Mackenzie. "Taking this class, I've gained an understanding of what it means to study in an aerospace environment."

Horizon Science Academy - McKinley Park is located at 2245 W. Pershing Road, Chicago. It is a public charter school serving students from Kindergarten through twelfth grades with a focus on science, math and STEM topics.

Horizon Science Academy engineering students prep their projects for finals and the upcoming engineering symposium.