STARR 2026 STEAM Into the Future: Summer Park Tour Recap

This summer, STARR Community Services International took its STEAM Into the Future programming on the road, hosting a Summer Park Tour across 12 parks throughout Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Park District. From Auburn Gresham to neighborhoods across the South and West Sides, families gathered for a season of hands-on robotics, astronomy, performing arts, and agriculture activities, all delivered at no cost.

By the close of the tour, STARR had reached more than 1,000 youth and their families, many of them experiencing hands-on STEAM programming in their own neighborhood park for the very first time. Young people built and programmed robots, looked through telescopes, took the stage as STARR Agents, and got their hands in the soil through agriculture activities, all just steps from home.

The Summer Park Tour reflects a core STARR belief: STEAM opportunity should not be limited by zip code. By meeting families where they already gather, in the parks that anchor their communities, STARR removed the transportation and access barriers that too often keep young people from hands-on enrichment.

Thank you to the Chicago Park District and every family, volunteer, and community partner who made this summer possible. Photos from the tour will be added to this recap soon.