Young women encouraged to apply for electric vehicle-centered STEM project

ComEd has announced the return of its signature science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for future female STEM leaders, the ComEd EV Rally. Young women in Illinois can now apply to participate in the annual summer event, where teams of teens build and race electric go-carts. This year, 45 teens will have the opportunity to work with women from ComEd to explore STEM career opportunities and build their STEM experience. Since the program’s inception in 2014, more than 250 teens have participated in the EV Rally or its predecessor program, the ComEd IceBox Derby.

The application is open to any female Illinois resident between the ages of 13 and 18. Applications will close at 11:59 PM on Sunday, June 1.

“The ComEd EV Rally will stretch students’ imaginations and test their problem-solving skills, all while giving them the thrill of competition,” says Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of ComEd. “Young people have a crucial role to play in the clean energy transition, and we are excited to connect EV Rally participants with talented ComEd professionals who can support them on their journey to a successful, rewarding and lucrative career in a STEM field.”

Selected participants will work and learn from ComEd mentors, connect with peers from other opportunities and apply their STEM knowledge while building an electric vehicle (EV). The July program will conclude with a once-in-a-lifetime experience where participants will race their vehicles at the iconic Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday, July 26. At the completion of the program, each participant will receive a $2,000 scholarship to support their ongoing STEM education pursuits.

While making up over half of the students who graduate from college, only 28% of STEM professionals are women, according to a study from MIT. By providing female teens the opportunity for hands-on STEM experience and the support of female mentors from ComEd, the utility is taking steps to close the gender gap in the STEM workforce.

With increased electrification, data, and technology in our lives, STEM career opportunities will continue to grow throughout northern Illinois, providing family-sustaining careers for many developing professionals. ComEd EV Rally is one example of how ComEd is engaging with STEM-interested students to prepare them to serve as the next generation of leaders in the clean-energy transition. Additional STEM and scholarships programs include ComEd’s STEM Labs, Construct Youth Academy, Tools of the Trade, and Future of Energy Scholarships. These programs, like the EV Rally, all focus on giving students greater exposure to the possibilities of STEM.