Naperville teen center expanding with STEM lab

Some Naperville high school students who want to create a STEM lab next to their teen center set a lofty goal and met half of it.

But the sponsorship funds raised so far were enough for the Alive Center to lease the open office space next door and begin its transformation.

The teen center's founder and president, Kandice Henning, on Friday signed a long-term lease for 502 W. 5th Ave., next to Alive's original hub at 500 W. 5th Ave., to become a space for science, technology, engineering and math, as well as media, studying and tutoring.

The former office of Paul Davis Restoration of DuPage will become part of the Alive Center after a small group of teen leaders collected $55,000 in sponsorships from Naperville businesses during the past two months - more than half of a $100,000 goal.

Meeting with executives to pitch the value of their STEM-focused ideas felt backward to Naperville North High School senior Jatin Mathur - like he was speaking to "accomplished adults" when he should have been listening.

"I saw how these things come together," Jatin said, "and I think this was a great life experience."

Sponsorship money so far has come from Naperville companies Advanced Data Technologies, M. Brown & Associates, Esser Hayes Insurance, BBM Incorporated and current or former residents Nancy and Bill Mitchell, Jim and Barbie Hayes and Rick and Carroll McNeel.

Henning said the center also expects a grant from St. Raphael Catholic Church to help with furnishing and equipping the space. On the wish list are two "supercomputers" with mega file storage for a club called Alive Media Group led by Naperville North junior Rajveer Sokhey and five more computers for a Coding Club led by Naperville North junior Isha Srinivasan.

Rajveer said he's so excited to have his own media room to work on videos and blog posts with his peers, he's willing to sit on the floor. Isha said she's looking forward to choosing furniture and paint colors to personalize the 3,200-square-foot space.

"It's cool Kandice is letting us lead it," Isha said.

"It really gives this place a teen voice," Henning said.

The Alive Center opened in April 2015 and soon merged with the NaperBridge teen center, which had been operating in downtown Naperville since November 2013. Alive originally offered adult programming as well, but since has focused on teens.

Teen leaders are planning an open house in the existing space from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, which Isha said will include businesspeople, teachers and a keynote speaker in scientific and technological fields.

While STEM already plays heavily in Naperville schools with personal technology for each student and expanded engineering course options, Alive teen leaders say their new space will give a place to explore the disciplines outside the academic realm.

So while the first half of the Alive Center will be for video games, art projects and cooking lessons, the new STEM side will stay more studious.

"It's an emphasis on the quiet space that we'll have in here," Isha said, "in contrast to next door."