Next Steps for Elementary School Students
As an elementary student, you're never too young to start dreaming! And planning!
Every question you ask, book you read, science experiment you try, or new experience you have can help you learn more about the world around you.
With the support of your family and other caring adults, even the smallest steps can help you start building your dream of one day becoming a pediatrician.
Activities & Ideas
Whether you're a future pediatrician, a parent, grandparent, sibling, teacher, or another caring adult, there are lots of fun ways to explore science, medicine, and helping others together. Here are some ideas to get started!
Looking For Programs? Start with UChicago
Why UChicago? At the University of Chicago, we believe every child should have the opportunity to explore careers in science, healthcare, and medicine. Through our schools, hospitals, community partnerships, and outreach programs, students can connect with mentors, participate in hands-on STEM experiences, build leadership skills and begin building pathways toward future careers in healthcare.
Explore dozens of University of Chicago-supported programs focused on education, mentorship, and STEM. We recommend starting with these University of Chicago opportunities before exploring additional Chicago-area STEM and healthcare programs.
UChicago - Office of Civic Engagement Youth Programs
One of the best places to start is the University of Chicago's Youth Programs Directory, which brings together dozens of programs focused on STEM, mentorship and academic enrichment.
Highlights: Learn about our wide variety of University of Chicago-supported programs, initiatives, and community resources.
Website:Website
UChicago - South Side Science Festival
A free, all-ages science celebration held annually at UChicago's Hyde Park campus. With over 100 hands-on demonstrations, live experiments, robotics, 3D printing, and interactive panels, the festival brings science to life for kids, teens, and families alike.
Highlights: Past festivals have included activities like CPR training, fossil exploration, and liquid nitrogen experiments. Ideal for elementary, middle, and high school students eager to explore STEM in a fun, engaging environment.
Website:Website
UChicago – Neighborhood Schools Program
A UChicago program that provides K–12 students with academic support, tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities to help them succeed in school.
Highlights: The Homework Help Initiative (HHi) connects students with UChicago student volunteers across all subjects for extra help. For students needing more consistent academic support and mentorship, the Tutor Match Program matches a UChicago student tutor for weekly one-on-one sessions in math, reading, science, and more.
Websites:Homework Help InitiativeTutor Match
UChicago - South Side Science Scholars (S4)
A UChicago mentorship program connecting students at Dulles & Sherman Elementary Schools with UChicago students for engaging, weekly after-school science activities.
Highlights: Strong focus on curiosity, confidence, and scientific thinking.
Next, Talk With Your Child's School
After exploring UChicago opportunities, connect with your child's teachers, counselors, and school STEM coordinators to learn about local programs.
You can ask about:
- Chicago Public School STEM programs
- School-based STEM clubs
- Science fairs and competitions
Additional Chicago STEM & Healthcare Programs
After-school Alliance – Little Medical School
Hands-on programs for kids ages 4–14 that explore health careers through interactive STEM lessons. Topics include becoming a doctor, veterinarian, or forensic scientist.
Highlights: After-school and summer options; national program with Chicago locations; themed kits and camps.
Website:Website
Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) Mentoring Map
An interactive tool developed by APPD to connect URiM students—from kindergarten through pre-med—with experiential STEM programs across the U.S. It allows users to search by zip code for opportunities like research internships, clinical shadowing, and college prep, helping students build confidence and pursue careers in science and medicine.
Highlights: Nationwide access, free to use, supports diversity in STEM and healthcare.
Website:Website
Challenge Island – Central Chicago
Award-winning STEAM enrichment combining adventure-themed learning with team challenges that promote critical thinking and creativity.
Highlights: Creative group activities; after-school programs and camps; ages 5–12.
Website:Website
Girlstart (Chicago Area)
Girlstart delivers innovative STEM programming designed specifically for girls in grades 4–8. Their After-School programs are offered in several Chicago public schools and include hands-on activities in coding, engineering, astronomy, and more—all aimed at boosting girls' confidence and curiosity.
Highlights: Gender-responsive curriculum, free to schools and families, led by trained STEM facilitators.
Website:Website
Girls 4 Science
A nonprofit dedicated to engaging girls aged 10-18 in STEM through hands-on lab, field, and classroom experiences. Programs include Saturday STEM Academies at multiple Chicago locations and summer camps that cover everything from biology to robotics.
Highlights: Free enrollment, focus on underrepresented youth, role model exposure, parent engagement.
Website:Website
Illinois Resources And Programs for Increasing Diversity in Health Professions (RAPID)
RAPID has a comprehensive online directory designed to help Illinois students of all ages explore and connect with healthcare and STEM programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Highlights: Programs from elementary school to graduate school and everything in between!
Website:Website
Kids STEM Studio
Chicago-based program offering weekly classes, after-school programs, and camps focused on coding, engineering, and robotics.
Highlights: Hands-on tech exploration for ages 4–14; age-appropriate instruction and projects.
Website:Website
Project Exploration
Provides free, hands-on science programs to underrepresented youth across Chicago. Programs like "Sisters4Science" and "Science Giants" combine mentorship with exciting STEM challenges.
Highlights: After-school and summer options, transportation and meals often included, strong emphasis on equity and access.
Website:Website
Rosalind Franklin University
Their Mini Medical School and Parent Hero Academy provide an engaging, hands-on introduction to the health sciences for 4th–8th grade students and their families.
Highlights: Through interactive case studies, experiments, anatomy exploration, and role-model mentorship, young learners and parents discover the world of medicine together.
Website:Website
Rush University
Provides healthcare and STEM education experiences for Chicago students. Programs include field trips, hands-on simulations, and career exploration activities at Rush University Medical Center.
Highlights: Focus on West Side youth, exposure to real health professionals, structured career pathways.
Snapology Chicago
STEAM education through LEGO®, K'Nex, and tech-based activities. Great for early exploration of robotics, engineering, and problem-solving.
Highlights: Year-round classes and camps; ages 4–14; robotics, design, and team-based learning.
Website:Website
South Side STEM Station
Community-based STEM programs designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world problem solving.
Highlights: STEM workshops and enrichment programs; hands-on projects; mentorship opportunities; community-focused learning experiences.
Website:Website
STEAM Academy Chicago
Technology-rich after-school programs focused on solving real-world challenges with creativity and innovation.
Highlights: Interactive learning for ages 4–12; hands-on exploration of coding, engineering, and more.
Website:Website
This is just a start!
Looking for even more opportunities? Try searching for terms like "Chicago STEM programs," "elementary science camps," or "healthcare career programs for youth" to see what else might be on offer!
- Chicago Public Library – Free Homework Help
- Brainfuse Online Tutoring: Access live, one-on-one tutoring daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. in subjects like math, science, English, and social studies. Available in English and Spanish, this service supports students from early elementary through college prep levels. Additional resources include practice tests (e.g., ACT/SAT), a writing lab, and video lessons. Learn more
- Teacher in the Library: Certified teachers provide homework assistance and study skills support at various CPL locations. This program operates during the school year, from the week before Labor Day to the week before Memorial Day, with breaks aligning with public school schedules. Learn more
- Learning Tools: CPL also offers a range of online learning tools, including access to Khan Academy for video tutorials and practice exercises in various subjects. Learn more
- Chicago Public Schools Department of STEM: CPS offers a variety of STEM programs across its schools, aiming to make every school STEM-ready and every student STEM-powered. Programs include curriculum enhancements and extracurricular activities to promote STEM education. Be sure to talk to your child's science teachers & counselor to see what's on offer!