09/25/2026
accentedge Foundation is back with the second Cohort of their AI Skills Lab!
Cohort 1 proved the next generation of AI builders is already in our neighborhoods. They are proud to keep providing the tools to change their communities and the world.
In their first cohort, South Side high schoolers showed what's possible when talent gets real opportunity. They wrote their first lines of Python, built working AI apps, and presented capstone projects that tackled real issues in their own neighborhoods. Watching them grow from curious to confident was one of the most inspiring things we've been part of.
Now accentedge Foundation and Southside STEM Station are opening the doors again for Cohort 2, a free 6-week program for 20 Chicago Public Schools high schoolers.
AI is changing how we work, create, and solve problems. Our young people shouldn't just use these tools. They should build them, question them, and use them to lift up their communities.
Over six Saturdays, students will:
- Learn how AI actually works
- Write and run their own Python code
- Build apps with modern AI APIs, including Claude
- Design a capstone project rooted in their community
- Present their work on showcase day
Students also get paid to learn. Those who complete all 6 sessions earn a $200 stipend, and students with one absence still receive $165. Their time and effort are valuable, and the program should show it.
Saturdays, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | October 10–November 14, 2026
Southside STEM Station, 1520 E. Harper Ct.
Open to CPS high school students | Cohort of 20
100% free, plus a stipend
Spots are limited. If you know a curious, creative teen on the South Side, please send this their way, or share it with parents, teachers, and counselors.
