We are looking for support to help make Scitopia Chicago a reality.
AIMS
Learning in Community
Scitopia Chicago overarching model is “learning in community” manifested foremost by its location in the heart of Washington Park, a storied, revitalizing southside neighborhood. Location, central to urban equity, lies at the base of a learning pyramid, its apex composed of individuals, none more central than teens self-realizing their future.
EcoLab teens wade in to investigate the health of Washington Park’s lagoon.
STEM Redux
Scitopia Chicago redefines “STEM for the 21st Century,” replacing the emphasis on applied science and math with hands-on learning, environment and climate, and today’s media landscape. Basic math and writing are foundational and mentored.
Audiences
TEENS
Self-realization makerlabs, hangout space, library resources, and mentoring for southside teens to ensure graduation, internships and career pathways
ADULTS
Learning and meeting, lectures, library and horticulture resources, neighborhood history, engaging aspiring teens, and a free, relaxing destination
CITY
Anchor for neighborhood corridor revitalization, school and teacher resource, public library/park district/university connection, unique event space and southwest side destination
NATION
National model for equitable neighborhood-university-city collaboration, ground-breaking zero-energy greenspace and free, iconic public destination
DESIGN
LAYOUT & FUNCTION
Scitopia Chicago aims to be the first carbon-neutral, net-zero-energy (LEED Platinum) public science destination in the world by employing renewable cross-laminated timber and advanced smart glass and by harnessing geothermal and solar energy.
The ground floor includes Visions, an exhibition and event space showcasing the neighborhood’s 1950s jazz scene and the ecological diversity of its landscaped park, the Lost World’s unique Africa- themed museum-conservatory-vivarium, and the Golden Lily Café, a place to relax, connect or seek library resources. Teens have access to the Imaginarium’s work and hangout areas and project resources.
The second floor includes the MakerPlace, an event and performance space that allows observation of hands-on learning in MakerLabs, a Solarium to engage horticulture activities, and access to the canopy views of the Lost World Skyway.
MakerLabsFour small-group labs for hands-on programs spanning the sciences and media.
MakerPlaceA flexible event and performance space at the center of the second floor.
Lost WorldConservatory-vivarium-museum connecting West Africa’s living biota with its deep past.
SolariumSun-soaked greenspace for horticulture programs.
VisionsNeighborhood exhibition space also available for lectures or meetings.
ImaginariumTeen dream space to meet, connect, plan, work or just hangout and snack.
Golden Lily CafeLike its neighborhood namesake, a welcoming community-run venue for connecting and reflecting.
LOCATION
Scitopia Chicago lies within a transit corridor including two CTA rail lines, an expressway, major avenues and a boulevard corridor.
Scitopia Chicago will begin to balance Chicago’s long-standing lakefront museums and institutions.
Scitopia Chicago, located in the heart of the Washington Park neighborhood, lies at the center of one of Chicago’s envisioned transit hubs (eTOD), with some five million passengers passing by annually along Garfield Boulevard or the CTA’s Green Line.
SCITOPIA FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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| Paul Sereno | Professor, UChicago |
| Cecilia Butler | President, Washington Park Residents’ Advocacy Council |
| Ken Polonsky | Professor, Physician, UChicago, Sr. Advisor to the President |
| Rev. Jesse Knox III | Senior Minister, Church of the Good Shepherd |
| Rich Crowley | President, Chicago Herpetological Society |
| Eric Klinenberg | Author & Professor, New York University |
| Fabiola Delgado | Chief of Staff, UChicago Natl. Laboratories & Asst. VP for Finance |
| Jessica Roeder | Project Manager, Fossil Lab at UChicago |
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD |
|
| Sophia Carey | Founder & CEO, BuildWise LLC |
| Jeremy Dunn | Manager of Digital Inclusion, Chicago Housing Authority |
| Tim Knowles | President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching |
| Walter Massey | Senior Advisor to the President, UChicago |
| Lisa Roberts | Founder & Principal, naturalia, inc. |
| David Wilts | Founder & CEO, Digital Masterplanning LLC |
CONTACT US
You can e-mail the Scitopia Foundation at info@scitopiachicago.org.