Navy Invests in Chicago Schools Science, Tech Program

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling in the Navy — literally — to give Chicago Public School students the expertise they need to qualify for technology jobs.

The Department of the Navy has disclosed plans to make a five-year, $2 million investment in students at Chicago’s Rickover Naval Academy and at five schools specializing in science, technology, engineering and math — known as STEM.

Thanks to the Navy, up to 1,000 students attending those six schools will benefit from intensive summer enrichment programs, year-round mentoring and free computer science classes at Chicago City Colleges to earn advanced college-level credit.

The Chicago program is still in the design stages but it was described as a “full-day, STEM summer camp” that will build on what students learn during the school year.