An innovative solution
Project SYNCERE was created to address these critical needs. Founded in Chicago, Project SYNCERE bridges the gap in STEM education for underrepresented students using a scaffolded school-to-career pathway, providing hands-on learning experiences, careerdevelopment,andexposuretoreal-worldapplicationsofSTEM.
Programs are designed to ignite interest in STEM and provide opportunities for STEM education from an early age, ensuring that students receive the encouragement and resources they need to succeed This long-term approach increases students’ engagementandproficiencyinSTEMsubjects.
Acomprehensiveapproachincludesprovidingequitableaccessto qualityeducation,fosteringaninclusiveenvironment,andtargeted supporttoovercomeacademicandsocioeconomicchallenges.
Inclusive and supportive STEM education is crucial for addressing the disparities faced by Black and Hispanic students Project SYNCERE is fostering a new generation of diverseSTEMprofessionalswhocandriveinnovationandequityintheindustry.
Preparing Tomorrow’s Engineers Today!
The STEM school-tocareer pathway EN ENpowered powered
UncoveringOpportunitiesinSTEM
Project SYNCERE’s flagship initiative, ENpowered, offers a range of hands-on engineering experiences for K-12 students. Notable among these are the ENpowered Games and STEM in Motion These programs are designed to ignite students' interest in STEM by engaging them in practical, real-world engineering challenges. Through interactive projects and competitions, students gain a deeper understanding of STEMconceptsanddevelopapassionforlearningandinnovation
OurSTEMinMotion programusestwomobiletinkerlabsto bringhands-onengineeringactivitiesto K-12studentsandtraineducators.
A10-week,in-schoolengineering programengaginghundredsofmiddle schoolstudentsthroughoutChicagoland inanannualarena-stylecompetition.
We partner with schools, universities, and organizations to provide students with handson, project-based STEMlearning.
51%
In-school programs, after-school activities, and summer camps ignite students’ interest in STEM. We create opportunities for them to envision careers as STEM professionals.
48%
OnApril26,2024,ProjectSYNCEREhostedthe7th Annual ENpowered Games,the culminationofa10-weekengineeringprogramdesignedtoigniteapassionforSTEMamong middleschoolstudentsinChicago.
TheAdvanced Autoschallengeinvolvedbuildingandcodingaself-driving“autonomous” vehicle,whichcompetedinatimedracealonganobstacle-filledcourse.Atonestage,we deliberately“broke”thestudents’codetotesttheirtroubleshootingskills.
13
schools
2024 participating schools
volunteers
266 students 101
Adam Clayton Powell Paideia Community Academy (South Shore)
Amelia Earhart Elementary (Calumet Heights)
Holy Angels Catholic School (Bronzeville)
Charles Sumner Math & Science Community Academy (North Lawndale)
CICS-Longwood (Washington Heights)
Henry O. Tanner Elementary School (Greater Grand Crossing)
James E. McDade Elementary Classical School (Chatham)
Jane Addams Elementary School (East Side)
Mariano Azuela Elementary School (West Lawn)
Robert L. Grimes Elementary School (Garfield Ridge)
Scott Joplin Elementary School (Auburn Gresham)
West Park Elementary Academy (Humboldt Park)
Develop proficiency in industry-standard software to address engineering problems.
Design innovative engineering solutions to real-world problems.
Create a portfolio demonstrating engineering skills for college admissions
Cultivate essential communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
Prepare for post-secondary success in engineering and STEM degree programs.
e-cademy class of 2024
8 (100%) Students enrolled in post-secondary STEM programs Partnerships & Opportunities
2
Foundation’s BoystoSTEM Academyatthe UniversityofMaryland.
syncere financials
September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024
INCOME
from Other Nonprofits
& General
(Loss) $1,703,522
In Fiscal Year 2024, Project SYNCERE experienced a net loss of $275,038 due to the conclusion of a five-year Department of Education grant and shifts in foundation funding Despite this, our programs remain strong, and we continue to expand partnerships and revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability. These figures are currently under audit, with final statements expected in Summer 2025.
Individual Donors
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our individual donors, who partner with us both philanthropically and through volunteerism.
Mark Ingram
George Medellin, III
2023-2024
Tyler Mitchell Charitable Fund
William Rosen
Cheryl Rudbeck
Thomas Rudbeck
Charles Slutzky
Lisa Snow Turrinelli and Franco Turrinelli
Sandor Williams
$100 to $499
Anonymous (3)
$5,000+
Taina Knox
Marc Nunn
$1,000 to $4,999
Anonymous (2)
Margaret Burke
Deborah Choi
Rasháanda Cook
Shaun Garrison
Steffani McLean
Keisha and Kendal Parker
Seun Phillips
The Jeffrey Singer
Charitable Fund
Paul Steuer
$500 to $999
Anonymous (2)
Adrianne Wheeler Ball
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Drago
Kelley Dugan
Angelle Garcia
Kierra Herron
Maria Allen
Carol Barnett
Gerald Bernardi
Peggy Brittman
Samuel Chung
Pamela Coleman
Clifton Donaldson
Floyd Elliot
Asmita Hari
Samuel Krause
Tara Leweling
Maureen Lovelace
Dr. Cherie Meador
Simon Mouhanna
Tracy Nicholson
Bridget O'Connell
Matthew Perez
Kathleen Philpott
Richard Quijano
Cynthia Ramirez
Mark Seymour
Edward Sneed
Sara Stangel
Ashish Tiwari
Linda Tortolero
$20 to $99
Anonymous (2)
Maria Abay
Stephanie Anderson
Daniel Banker
Veronica Barnes
Daniel Bassill
Chimere Brown
Gervis Cash
Chika Chima-Nafiu
Timothy Collyer
Susan Dee
Julian Del Rosario
Zorica Djuraskovic
Leslie Drish
Kiara Harahap
Mark Henderson
Cassandra Horton
Nancy Kabba
Maya Kuppermann
Anthony Lindsay
Doney Maxey
Marc Mendolia
Jonathon Milam
Robert Milausnic
Rahul Miriyala
Matthew Nawrocki
Michael Pehlke
Janis Stephan
Meredith Terzola
Sue Topp
Jonathan Tran
Nihar Vaidya
Cameron Whitford
Ken Williams
Stakeholder Spotlight: Hear It From Those Who Know Us Best
Scan QR Code to view video
TheimpactofProjectSYNCEREisbest understoodthroughthevoicesofthosewe serve ScantheQRcodeabovetohearfrom ourstudents,parents,andstaffaboutthe transformativepowerofourprograms. Inthisvideo,you'llmeet:
YusefMuhammad:AformerE-CADEMY student,nowanintern,whoshareshow ProjectSYNCEREequippedhimwith boththetechnicalskillsand professionalismtosucceedinthe workplace.
JeremyHarris:AcurrentE-CADEMY middleschoolerwhodescribeshowthe programhasenhancedhiscritical thinkingandproblem-solvingabilities.
BrandyHarris:Jeremy'smother,who speakstothe"lovingenvironment"and "long-termbenefits"ofProjectSYNCERE.
AdrianneBall:OurDirectorofPrograms, whoeloquentlycapturesthecollaborative spiritandmultifacetedapproachthat drivesProjectSYNCERE'ssuccess.
Theirstoriespaintavividpictureofthe impactwe'remaking,demonstratingthat ProjectSYNCERE’simpactisnotjust measuredinnumbers,butbythestoriesof realpeopleandtransformations.
