Event Recap: Black Creativity Showcase

On Saturday, February 24, and for the second year in a row, I-NOMA participated in the annual Black Creativity Career Showcase hosted by the Museum of Science and Industry. The showcase was an opportunity for kids, parents, and other museum attendees to learn about science, art, engineering, and innovation from African American experts. It was also an opportunity to display the diversity of and celebrate African American success in these fields. For I-NOMA, the event provided the chance to connect with minority students from South Side neighborhoods as well as promote its annual Project Pipeline Architecture Camp.

The I-NOMA showcase booth was helmed by Doug Williams, Ben Dunlap, Kim Johnson, Jonathan Fair, as well as students from affiliate NOMAS chapters. The I-NOMA booth saw a steady stream of about 3 to 7 kids every 10 minutes, and by the end of the event, had engaged between 100 and 130 kids in fun and educative activities including short structural exercises, coloring exercises, and the viewing of case-study structural models. One of the structural activities was the marshmallow and spaghetti noodle challenge. The kids enjoyed it a lot, while the parents were impressed due to the simple nature of the tools used and the ease with which their kids were able to explain what they learned in the short period of time.

Ultimately, the outreach was a success and I-NOMA looks forward to attendance at future showcases. If you’d like to participate in activities like these, as a volunteer or student/parent, check the events page frequently to see where I-NOMA will be next!