Innovative program gives DC-area teens a peek into STEM careers

A national program sponsored by Pepco and the Exelon Foundation is designed to give teenagers a peek into what it would be like to work in a science, technology, engineering and math career.

This week, Exelon Academy activities took place at the University of Maryland in College Park. Previous programs have also been held in Baltimore and Chicago. A fourth will be held next month in Philadelphia.

The College Park program drew over 100 incoming high school juniors and seniors from across the District, Maryland and Virginia.

“Some of these kids come from underserved communities, which means they don’t even have access to STEM education truly within their school,” said Maya Huggins-Garcia, who has been directing the national program for five years.

She said academy exposes students to technical careers, allows them to network with professionals in the field, and gives them a chance to see themselves in a college setting and develop skills they will need when they enter the workforce.

The program also helps students understand the opportunities available to them through STEM with a series of exercises and projects.

“They activel...