LEC Enrollment (1).png
LEC Enrollment (1).png

3-Week Course: AI, Data Centers, & Environmental Racism

from $0.00

For rising 6th through 8th graders. If you’d like to learn more and meet the educators before registering, sign up for our open houses on May 28 and May 30.

Class Dates
June 22 - July 10, 2026
4-5:30 PM CDT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

About
3-week interdisciplinary course focused on guiding young learners as they conduct action research about the impact of data centers in Chicagoland and beyond. Students will have an opportunity to meet with activists and legislators working on this environmental justice issue. They will also develop their own community actions that integrate the science/STEM, art, and the communications/writing skills they’ve learned throughout the course.

Sliding Scale:

For rising 6th through 8th graders. If you’d like to learn more and meet the educators before registering, sign up for our open houses on May 28 and May 30.

Class Dates
June 22 - July 10, 2026
4-5:30 PM CDT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

About
3-week interdisciplinary course focused on guiding young learners as they conduct action research about the impact of data centers in Chicagoland and beyond. Students will have an opportunity to meet with activists and legislators working on this environmental justice issue. They will also develop their own community actions that integrate the science/STEM, art, and the communications/writing skills they’ve learned throughout the course.

Curious if this course is a good fit?

Imagine this: you’re coming home from school at 9PM, after a long day filled with 2 tests, soccer tryouts, and an audition for the school play. When you open your backpack, you realize — “oh no! I have an essay due tomorrow morning!” You have 3 choices:

  1. Turn it in late — only then, your grades will drop!

  2. Stay up late — though you aren’t sure you have it in you to do that.

  3. Turn to your good pal ChatGPT.

Which do you do?

AI is everywhere. And many people — young people and adults alike — treat it like it’s our magic. Sometimes, it feels like having a super, super speedy best friend! But at what cost? What is the true impact of AI?

Together, we will…

  • Pull back the curtain to reveal the powerful wizards (AKA tech CEOs) getting rich off of AI.

  • Learn more about the impact AI has on the environment — such as polluting the air and water and wasting precious resources.

  • Dive into the construction of data centers right here in Chicago and how local activists are fighting against it.

  • Share what we’ve learned in the form of zines, visual art, model making, and more.

Download Full Course Description