THINKINC.

A Different Kind of STEM Program That’s Making a Difference

The Chicago Pre-College Science & Technology Program, known as ChiS&E, is a STEM curriculum with a difference. And it’s making a difference. Students, most of whom are from majority-Black communities, arrive either indifferent to or intimidated by regular math classes. Yet they graduate from ChiS&E and enter top colleges, with majors such as nuclear engineering and pre-medicine.

The students’ transformation is real and deep. As one 8th grader said, unprompted, “Quadratic equations are now my favorite thing!” Thanks to ChiS&E, a new generation of scientists and engineers is forming in neighborhoods that are underrepresented in STEM.

Thinkinc. engaged with ChiS&E at a moment of inflection, as the political environment shifted away from DEI initiatives and the organization began preparing for leadership transition. Our role was to assist ChiS&E translate its proven impact into institutional power, influence and long-term sustainability.Most importantly, our strategists saw a great opportunity to lift ChiS&E’s trajectory and broaden its impact.

To do that, we applied the Thinkinc. thinking and approach: Work with this organization to build its power, influence and relationships so partners and funders can see the importance of aligning with and investing in ChiS&E. That is our contribution to strengthening our democracy.

We worked for six months with ChiS&E’s leadership, transforming how ChiS&E sees itself and how others see ChiS&E. We wrote messaging that showcased the program’s differentiating features and globalized its vision. We created pathways to power while facilitating the beginnings of a leadership transition.

For more than 30 years, Thinkinc. has elevated people and institutions, working with them to identify and internalize their superpowers and to share them with the world. In ChiS&E’s case, we:

• Revised Vision and Mission Statements Developed clear, future-facing mission and vision statements that reflect ChiS&E’s long-term ambition, educational philosophy and role in expanding access to advanced STEM pathways.
• Power Analysis Conducted a comprehensive Power Analysis mapping ChiS&E’s allies, competitors, and key media messengers, along with the institutions and individuals who influence them. This analysis identified where alignment, resistance and opportunity existed, and clarified the specific messages required to build durable support for the program.
• Environmental Scan Completed an Environmental Scan examining peer programs, funding narratives and sector positioning across ChiS&E’s competitive landscape. This work clarified how ChiS&E’s model differs from traditional STEM enrichment efforts and where its long-term academic outcomes and approach uniquely stand apart.
• Messaging and Narrative Framework Developed a cohesive messaging framework that articulated ChiS&E’s strengths, clarified its distinct approach and positioned the program clearly within the broader STEM education ecosystem. This work aligned internal understanding and external expression through a positioning statement, taglines, elevator speech, boilerplate language and core narrative tools.
• Website Strategy and Content Created website copy and a draft site structure designed to communicate ChiS&E’s mission, impact and differentiation with clarity and confidence to funders, partners and the broader public.
• Traditional Media Relations Elevated ChiS&E’s public profile through strategic media placements, including coverage in The Chicago Tribune and interviews on WBBM Radio. Developed an evergreen media kit and provided media training and talking points for organizational leaders and students.
• Foundation Relations Supported foundation engagement by introducing ChiS&E leadership to key funders, developing tailored messaging for funder conversations, and drafting concise one-page materials to support relationship building and investment discussions.

OUTCOMES

The results were immediate and profound. Messaging that Thinkinc. created established ChiS&E as a world-class program that teaches algebra concepts beginning with kindergarten-age pupils and their parents. We identified the organization’s competitive advantage in the marketplace of groups that provide similar programming and services. And, the clarity impacted the trajectory of the organization both inside and out.

To get the word out, Thinkinc. relied on our vast media relationships to arrange two big media hits:

• A WBBM-AM/Audacy radio interview with ChiS&E and two alumni.
• A full-length Chicago Tribune article that appeared on the front page.

The messaging and media caught the attention of potential partners, a key goal of ChiS&E. Today, ChiS&E operates with greater clarity, confidence, and external recognition and is positioned to expand its influence while sustaining the depth of its impact.