Our Reach
Not only do we interact with youth, we’ve also been able to broaden our reach to parents, educators, and other STEM and non-STEM professionals through avenues such as TV segments and national STEM conferences.
expose live series
Our core values are EXPOSE, EQUIP, and EMPOWER. In order to provide continuous exposure for youth, we created a platform that provides continuous exposure from various STEM professionals called the “EXPOSE Live Series” YouTube channel. This platform provides 1) exposure for youth to learn about various STEM careers from diverse STEM professionals and 2) exposure for BIPOC men and women to showcase their significant contributions in STEM. Each month we feature a BIPOC man/woman STEM professional to share their experience growing up and how they use their STEM degrees. Sign up to be our next guest speaker or share with someone you know.
South Side Girls Explore Science Careers At We Run STEM Event
The first We Run STEM event offered girls and gender expansive youth ages 7-14 a hands-on day learning about robotics, food processing, cosmetic chemistry and more. This event brought together partners such as Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, Building Bridges, Inc., PepsiCo, NeuroMaker, and Current to exposure girls to science careers.
New Partnership & Grand opening at southside stem station
The Southside STEM Station is a STEM learning lab dedicated to expanding access to quality STEM programming for our southside youth and communities. Building Bridges, Inc. was honored to lead one of three dynamic workshops during the grand opening ceremony, showcasing our commitment to empowering youth through STEM education. We are excited to partner with the Southside STEM Station, offering free & engaging STEM workshops.
BUILDING BRIDGES, INC. ON DAYTIME CHICAGO
Watch this clip as we showcased our “Love the Skin You’re In” STEM program live on Daytime Chicago. Their 5 minute segment gave viewers more information about our organization, our mission, and how our STEM programs promote self-awareness and self-confidence for young girls.
Click picture to view TV segment.
BUILDING BRIDGES, INC AT SWE 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Dr. Shy & TaAqua presented at the Society of Women Engineers conference in Houston, TX on October 21, 2022. They joined a roster of accomplished academics and professionals at the world’s largest event for organizations, individuals and supports of women in engineering. Their presentation "Bridging STEM Skills to the Real World for Youth" inspired over 100 attendees to create strategic partnerships, build mentoring programs, and empower young girls.
Click picture to view conference highlights.
Jr. Science cafe with the museum of science and industry
Dr. Shy was featured during a Jr. Science Cafe event in partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry. This opportunity allows youth to meet working professionals in the fields of STEM. During this session, Dr. Shy talks about her work with Building Bridges, Inc. explains the science of hair, and demonstrates how to make your own conditioner.
BUILDING BRIDGES, INC. SHOWCASING consistent stem exposure AT DISCOVER BMB CONFERENCE
We presented our consistent STEM exposure outreach efforts at the Discover BMB Poster Session on April 14, 2025. Discover BMB is the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology that brings together researchers in academia and industry, educators, trainees and students from across the globe. Our former intern, Zara Ameli, presented the poster titled “Consistent STEM Exposure Drives Girls' Career Exploration and Builds STEM Confidence”, highlighting the success of our partnership with the Pink Panthers of Lara Academy. The poster demonstrated how consistent engagement in STEM activities can significantly increase students’ confidence, boost classroom participation, and spark greater interest in STEM career pathways. The data is clear. When students have regular exposure they thrive in STEM. The Pink Panthers are leading the way in showing just how powerful consistent STEM opportunities can be.
BUILDING BRIDGES, INC. SHOWCASING SUMMER STEM CAMPS AT DISCOVER BMB CONFERENCE
We presented our summer STEM camp outreach efforts at the Discover BMB Poster Session on March 25, 2024. Discover BMB is the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology that brings together researchers in academia and industry, educators, trainees and students from across the globe. Our Executive Assistant Intern, Yulissa Luna, presented the poster titled “Summer STEM Camps Can Drive Exposure and Positively Impact Middle and High School Students’ Interest and Confidence in STEM Careers”. This poster was a collaborative effort with collegiate institutions, Chicago State University and Harper College., and it showcased how non-profit and academic partnerships are instrumental in providing hands-on experiences and fostering skills crucial for success in STEM fields.
BUILDING BRIDGES, INC. SHOWCASING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AT DISCOVER BMB CONFERENCE
We presented our community partnership efforts at the Discover BMB Poster Session on March 28, 2023. Discover BMB is the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology that brings together researchers in academia and industry, educators, trainees and students from across the globe. Our Founder/President, Dr. Shy, presented the poster titled “Community Partnership Can Drive Continuous STEM Exposure for Female-Identifying and Non-Binary Youth”. This poster was a collaborative effort with the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago).
BUILDING BRIDGES, INC. SHOWCASING SCIENTIFIC OUTREACH AT EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY CONFERENCE
We presented our outreach efforts at the Experimental Biology Scientific Outreach Activity Poster Session on April 2, 2022. Experimental Biology is the largest and most prestigious interdisciplinary meeting of five societies that explores the latest research in anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, investigative pathology, pharmacology, and physiology. Our teacher program development lead, Leon Drabo, presented our poster titled “Building Self Awareness through STEM Virtual Summer Camp for Young Girls”.
