Gateway to the Greater Outdoors (GGO) is a program that partners with low-income public schools in Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO to provide extensive environmental, outdoor, and STEAM education. GGOâs curriculum combines hands-on, inquiry-based classroom STEAM instruction, and nature-based outings & overnight trips, with year-round mentorship provided by university students like you. GGO partners directly with the classroom science teachers to assure that the curriculum augments traditional classroom learning. Volunteers will be role models for our young students. Bonds built between volunteer mentors and our young students create a safe and fun space to educate, while strengthening the community at large.
This organization will build studentsâ character and help create a community inside and outside of the IIT campus. IIT students from different backgrounds will join together in this club to create bonds with the local elementary school, as well as different organizations around the Chicago area whom we partner with and attend field trips at. This club will help IIT students, as well as elementary students, gain STEAM related knowledge while exploring the natural outdoors environment. IIT students will also be educated on the GGO curriculum and may find the content rewarding and useful. IIT students benefit from this club by growing connections with their community, learning leadership and people skills, and gaining valuable service experience.
Increase IIT’s presence in the community by volunteering at the local elementary school.
Build leadership and presenting skills through weekly sessions at the elementary school.
Serve as role models for the children.
Create a community on campus for students of diverse backgrounds to help out in the community and meet new people.
