The CAC’s annual festival connecting kids to architecture and engineering makes successful return to in person with theme ‘Access to Experts’
he Chicago Architecture Center’s annual Engineering Fest is back in person Saturday, May 28 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The award-winning Center in the heart of downtown will host over 600 Chicagoland kids ages 8-14 for a day of discovery, building and learning through unique hands-on activities. This year’s theme is Access to Experts, with a focus on the changing climate and the responsibility of engineers and architects in this conversation in partnership with the CAC’s largest exhibition in its history Energy Revolution. The two floors of the CAC will have exhibits where kids can meet engineers and explore how architecture and engineering partner to create the cities we know and love.
“Engineering Fest is one of the most exciting events of the year at the CAC since we’re able to connect kids in Chicagoland to experts in fields they’re interested in. We hope it inspires them to think big and decide this is something they will go into in the future,” says COO and Interim CEO Juanna Blackwell.
Industry professionals will be on hand to engage with children, answer their questions and inspire kids to think big. The goal is to introduce young attendees to the various facets of engineering, ultimately providing a bridge to the field that outlines career pathways kids might not have otherwise known about. The festival will have no shortage of entertaining and educational opportunities for kids. Continuing the program’s emphasis on creating greener cities, children will be able to build their own wind turbines using household materials while learning about the importance of carbon-neutral energy sources and many other exciting ways to engage.
“When families think of the Chicago Architecture Center, skyscrapers might come to mind before the profession of engineering. However, each year our education team creates a festival centered around innovation and advancements in the field to help illustrate the science behind the walls of our most recognizable structures,” says Angela Esposito, Director of Education and Experience at the CAC.
Find out more about Engineering Fest and register at architecture.org.
About the Chicago Architecture Center
The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1966, dedicated to inspiring people to discover why design matters. A national leader in architecture and design education, the CAC offers tours, programs, exhibitions and more that are part of a dynamic journey of lifelong learning.
The CAC’s riverfront location opened in 2018 in the heart of the city, where Michigan Avenue meets the Chicago River. It features nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space with views of a century of iconic skyscrapers.
Through partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations, the CAC reaches approximately 30,000 K-12 students annually, while teacher workshops provide educators with tools and resources they need to advance STEM curricula in their classrooms. Committed to serving under-represented communities in construction, engineering and design professions, the CAC offers many of its education programs—and all of its programs for teens—at no cost to participants. CAC programs for adults and members include talks with acclaimed authors and practicing architects, in-depth presentations on issues and trends in urbanism and classes unlocking subjects related to the built environment
Proceeds from programs, tours and the CAC Design Store, as well as from grants, sponsorships and donations, support the Center’s educational mission. Visit architecture.org to learn more and follow @chiarchitecture and #chiarchitecture on social media.
