ASME and ComEd Bring STEM to Life for Fifth and Sixth Graders

This week, ComEd and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are excited to welcome over 100 elementary school students to its Chicago Training Center to conclude the fourth year of the ASME DropMEin! program: a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative that brings engineers and other STEM professionals into elementary and middle school classrooms to enhance curriculum and inspire the future STEM workforce in Illinois.

During the 2025 DropMEin! program, ComEd engineers and professionals have shared their STEM journeys and provided real-life, hands-on learning and open dialogue about power distribution, energy sustainability and STEM career paths. Students in this year’s program have participated in a series of monthly in-classroom visits with ComEd engineers who have focused on teaching students about “problem-solving for good” and the impact STEM and engineering have on the world.

"The ASME and ComEd DropMEin! program is an ideal way to reach out to younger students and spark their interest in STEM before they reach high school," said Mark Baranek, ComEd's senior vice president of technical services. "Empowering the next generation of the local STEM workforce is crucial to create the future of energy, and that starts with providing them the opportunity to learn about, and be inspired by, the many career opportunities in STEM."

This year's program began at the start of the spring semester partnering with three different schools—Bronzeville Classical Academy in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, and the STEAM Academy at Haskell Elementary and Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Rockford, Ill. All three schools are part of ComEd's Community of the Future initiative, which creates partnerships that tap into community strengths to enhance sustainability, resiliency, and connectedness.

In collaboration with ASME and its member volunteers, ComEd has enlisted its staff engineers, project managers, data scientists and cyber security experts to share their expertise and professional experiences with students.

"ASME appreciates ComEd's support of our DropMEin! program and its generous contribution to our Campaign for Next Generation Engineers," said Stephanie Viola, executive director of the ASME Foundation and managing director of ASME Philanthropy and Programs. "Together, we are working to inspire more kids to explore STEM and pursue STEM careers including engineering that improves lives."