From the IMTS Student Summit to Robotics Competitions, Chicago Students Meet Their Future Engineers are real. And so are the opportunities that the manufacturing industry presents. That’s what the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students who participate in robotics competitions and the IMTS Smartforce Student Summit learn. Despite living in a hub for industry and a major trade show destination, Chicago’s students are not always exposed to all the region has to offer. “There are so many shows and conferences in Chicago, but the kids don’t get to see them,” explains Kevin Mendoza, a computer science content specialist working with high school students throughout Chicagoland. “They truly don’t realize how many professional options exist.” Rebecca Kornack, the elementary computer science manager for CPS, echoed that sentiment. “I brought in an engineer to talk to our preschoolers. One of the children told us they didn’t think engineers were real,” she says. “These students may not have people with STEM careers in their families or communities. They will not know these opportunities exist unless we show them.” A First Chance Together, Kevin and Rebecca oversee robotics teams and STEM activities at nearly 200 schools throughout Chicago. In elementary school, students are exposed to basic engineering and robotics concepts. In middle and high school, CPS provides more opportunities for students to get involved through hands-on robotics teams. More than 150 Chicago-area schools participate in FIRST Lego League (FLL), a program designed to introduce STEM to children through exciting hands-on learning. FLL is one of the most rigorous after school academic programs offered through CPS, providing students with tangible skills that separate them from their peers. “We have seen FLL change students, teachers, and whole programs,” Kornack says. “Principals emphasize the enormous value that FLL programs have not just on the school but also on the entire community. Developing computer science skills early gives students more choices and a better chance to move into lucrative careers and change their communities.” A Glimpse of the Future At the middle and high school levels, students advance to higher levels of competition. Currently, 33 CPS high schools have active robotics teams, competing in The FIRST Tech Challenge or the FIRST Robotics Competition — with each successive level of competition featuring increasingly rigorous science and technology challenges. During the 2024 Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS, Mendoza and Kornack were heavily involved in the CPS booth and thrilled to introduce the more than 400 student attendees to the brilliant minds and stunning innovations featured at IMTS. As part of the Summit, CPS hosted its annual FLL launch. Launches are important because they give participants a kick-start to the season and increase participation. “A lot of teams practice 40-50 hours before a competition, and our students get 20-30 hours of practice time in a good year,” Kornack explains. “Kick-offs are an effective and positive way to get the season started.” Hosting the kickoff at IMTS meant that CPS students had the opportunity to walk the expansive aisles of IMTS and ask real technical professionals about how to address challenges they encounter in their FLL projects. When the students gathered for brainstorming sessions, they were able to reference the technologies they had seen on the show floor and the people they had learned from. “The first-hand interactions were so meaningful. We were sharing the room with accomplished professionals, like those from NASA, and the students got to interact with these experts. It is incredible for our students to see that they deserve to be in the room with NASA,” Mendoza says. A Windup to Success This year, to replicate that excitement and knowledge sharing of the Student Summit, CPS is hosting the Windy City Windup. On September 27, 2025, FIRST teams at all levels will gather to share insights and begin the process of tackling this year’s challenge: archeology. In addition to helping the students get started, the Windup is also a terrific opportunity to raise the profile of CPS’s FIRST programs and other computer science efforts. In particular, CPS wants to foster more direct connections with the manufacturing industry. “We would love to have more manufacturing companies partnering directly with school districts — in Chicago and throughout the country,” says Kornack. “Many of our teachers and coaches don’t have an engineering background, so to have manufacturers interacting directly with students is so important. Sharing those human resources is a zero-cost way for companies to build pathways into the industry for more kids.” Getting industry more involved in early education will help make sure that students see opportunities and options where none existed previously. “Above all else, we want these students to know that they belong — even when societal messages tell them they don’t,” Kornack explains. “When I see hundreds of students engaged in rigorous academic work and having fun and building community, it is incredible. They are learning robotics, but they are also learning that tech careers are an option. Most importantly, they are learning that they deserve a seat at these tables.” A seat at the table. A view of the future. A chance for success. Every child deserves that. When manufacturers team up with educators, we can make sure that young people know that engineers are real — and that in the manufacturing industry, they can design a real future. Mark Your Calendar The momentum continues at the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2026, taking place Sept. 14-19 in Chicago. Make plans now to attend this high-energy showcase that connects students with the people, technologies, and pathways that define the future of manufacturing. To keep up with the latest Student Summit news, subscribe to the Smartforce Newsletter here. And don’t miss the Miles for Manufacturing 5K (M4M 5K) a fun and meaningful way to support STEM education. Sponsored by AMT members and IMTS exhibitors, the race has raised more than $250,000 to benefit organizations and students (including Children First Fund – The Chicago Public Schools Foundation and numerous FIRST teams) studying subjects that lead to careers in manufacturing. When industry and education come together, everyone moves forward.
A seat at the table with a view of the future. Every child deserves that. IMTS teams up with educators to ensure that young people know they can design a real future in manufacturing.
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