ComEd Icebox Derby teaches young women value of STEM skills

Whats more fun than recycling old fridges by transforming them into solar-powered racecars and helping young women gain experience in science, technology, engineering and math skills? Long question, but the answer is short: Nothing. Which is why ComEd’s annual Icebox Derby is such a popular event in Chicago each summer. The Exelon-owned utility has selected 30 participants ages 13 to 18. Working with mentors, they develop craftsmanship and STEM-related skills to build the cars while also earning $1,500 scholarships for each young woman. This year’s sixth-annual ComEd Icebox Derby will take place Saturday, August 3 at Daley Plaza in Chicago. The picture above is from a previous event. The challenge is fun and exciting but the problem is real: Women make up 49 percent of the workforce, yet only 26 percent of jobs in STEM-related fields in Illinois, according to a study by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.

Spotlight

Other News
Engineering Tech, Construction

Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

Read More

Spotlight

Resources