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Highlights

After School Matters Teens Showcase Murals at the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Friday, May 18, 2012

After School Matters teens have made their mark on the new Lurie Children’s Hospital! Teens from After School Matters Downtown gallery37 Mural Painting Program created a series of tropically-themed murals in the Hospital’s surgery wing and proudly viewed the unveiling of their work at the public grand opening of the new Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood on May 12. 

Titled “The Healing Power of Nature,” the murals are inspired by flora and fauna and feature colorful images that transition from vibrant jungle scenes to the peaceful atmosphere of the ocean as they pass through its hallways.

The murals contribute to the Hospital’s creative approach to providing healing environments that promote education and discovery. After School Matters teens join artists from many of Chicago’s premier arts, cultural and civic institutions contributing artwork to the hospital.
 
The opportunity to have their work publicly showcased in such a unique environment gives teens a true sense of accomplishment as they continue to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.

Click here to view more photos from the mural series!

Teens in After School Matters Aviation Program Visit Chicago O’Hare International Airport for Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Monday, May 7, 2012

    

After School Matters AeroStars Aviation Exploration program is truly opening Chicago teens’ eyes to opportunities beyond their neighborhoods and giving them real world, practical applications of science and technology, while raising awareness of the aerospace industry and how it impacts our every day lives. Teens in this science37 program at Air Force Academy High School recently had the opportunity to participate in a special hands-on, behind-the-scenes tour of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the largest and busiest airports in the country.

During their visit, the teens toured the Airport’s Maintenance Complex, where they saw the fleet of massive equipment used to keep the runways clear and in optimal condition during Chicago’s harsh winter months. They traveled onto the active airfield where they felt a bit of jet blast from planes cruising by only feet away as ground support services carried out essential duties to prep other planes for flight.

Teens also visited United Airlines Maintenance Hangar where they could examine every part of a 747 Jumbo Jet—each teen even had the opportunity to visit the cockpit! On the way to Signature Flight Services, where celebrities travel through O'Hare Airport in style on corporate jets, the teens observed the pluming smoke and fire at the state-of-the-art Airport Rescue and Fire Fighter Training Center, The tour ended atop the Operations Tower where the teens got a bird's-eye, 360 degree view of the airport. 

This kind of unique opportunity to visit a major international airport and meet with industry professionals is vital as teens explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. After School Matters is grateful to United Airlines and O’Hare International Airport for providing this experience to our teens.

After School Matters Now Accepting Applications from Chicago High School Teens for Summer 2012 Programs
Friday, April 20, 2012

   

After School Matters is now accepting applications for its summer program session, which begins June 25. Programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered at more than 100 community organizations, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library locations across the city, as well as Downtown at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and in Millennium Park. In total, approximately 6,000 program opportunities will be available to Chicago teen residents who are at least 14 years of age, and entering or currently enrolled in high school.

After School Matters unique programs offer teens an opportunity to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.  During the summer, our programs are similar to a summer job. The six-to-eight week programs meet four-to-five days per week for approximately four hours per day, and teens must complete a robust final product/performance.  Teens that successfully complete their summer program are eligible for a monetary “Award for Program Completion” of up to $420.

A few of the innovative programs being offered include:

  • Joffrey Ballet—gallery37—Working with The Joffrey Ballet's professional dancers, teens in this program offered at Joffrey Tower in the Loop will be introduced to a variety of dance genres that will enhance their technique and life skills.
  • Radio Arte—words37—During the course of this radio journalism program, teens will produce multimedia pieces, lead a peer workshop and contribute to current WRTE productions at Radio Arte/WRTE-FM in Pilsen.
  • Junior Research Scientists—science37—Teens will gain hands-on, in-laboratory training in molecular biology and alternative energy technologies in this program offered at Columbia College Chicago in the South Loop, developing skills related to cancer biology, alternative energy technologies and computer animation.
  • Summer Rowing—sports37—Through the sport of competitive rowing, teens will challenge themselves to achieve their athletic and academic potential in a nurturing environment. This program, which culminates in a rowing regatta, motivates teens to become physically fit, build teamwork, self-esteem and leadership skills, while also developing and advancing their educational and life goals. This program is offered at Chicago Training Center at Gage Park.
  • Wicked Truth Film Production–tech37—This program, offered at Alternatives, Inc. in Uptown, introduces Chicago teens to the theory and technique of digital filmmaking. Teens will work on all aspects of the production process, creating video projects that explore issues in their communities.

Teens can visit our Teen Page to search for programs in and around their neighborhood. In order to participate, teens must apply online for programs and meet with program instructors for an interview to discuss and present their skills and interests.

After School Matters Dance Ensemble Gets in the Groove with DanceWorks Chicago for Special Public Performance at Chicago Cultural Center
Monday, April 16, 2012

Talent is blossoming at After School Matters this Spring! On April 10, teens in After School Matters Dance Ensemble program lived out their passion onstage alongside professional dancers from local dance company DanceWorks Chicago in an outstanding performance titled “Real on Reality.”

The performance was a culmination of the teens’ hard work throughout the spring program session, during which they have had the opportunity to explore their ambition and passion for dance alongside professional dancers from DanceWork Chicago. This collaboration has allowed the teens to perfect their technique and performance skills, as well as gain experience working on chorography.

This kind of unique opportunity to meet and work with professionals in the field are incredibly valuable to After School Matters teens, inspiring them to further explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.


© 2011 After School Matters, Inc

After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity Employer.