At Waident, we believe technology is about people. In particular, helping the next generation find their path in this world. That’s why we were excited to host a Tech BBQ at our Naperville headquarters, welcoming 25 high school students in partnership with KidsMatter.
From Givemas to Career Pathways
We first connected with KidsMatter during our Givemas initiative and quickly discovered a shared mission: empowering young people with skills, support, and real-world exposure. Their Career Pathways program opens doors for students, and we were honored to be a part of their summer program. Our goal was to introduce students to modern technology in action — not just how it works, but how it’s shaping the world around them.
A Real-World Tech Tour by Waident
We design our events as an experience; we want our guests to leave with a feeling and a good story to share later. The Tech BBQ was an interactive tech experience made for high school students and was all about curiosity, technology, and hands-on interaction.
Students rotated through 5 immersive stations:
- AI Glasses (Meta Demo): Students translated Spanish text, solved math problems, identified local wildlife, and even spotted landmarks all through smart glasses.
- Tesla Cybertruck Demo: Another great station, thanks to our local partner! Along with the Tesla techs, students explored self-driving capabilities, engineering design, and future mobility trends.
- 3D Printing Lab: Students assembled moving cubes printed on-site and learned how 3D printers work, including the different materials used and maintenance tips.
- Drones in Action: From aerial photography to field mapping, drones sparked interest among our audience. We touched on their use in growing career fields emerging tech jobs. We even had an unexpected visit from two hawks!
- Virtual Reality (VR): Standing 70 stories above the city (virtually!) gave everyone a memorable, slightly nerve-wracking moment to talk about immersive learning.
Having consumed the new knowledge, it was time for calories! Delicious lunch to restore energy and go over the new impressions. What could be better? Waident employees shared their career paths with the students, told them more about their roles in the company and answered their questions.
Investing in Futures: Waident and KidsMatter
Waident is grateful to KidsMatter, a nonprofit that has supported over 45,000 youth in DuPage County. We are proud to be part of this summer’s Career Pathways experience and to share our team’s knowledge, energy, and passion for cool tech!
Enjoy Tech BBQ Highlights!
We’re all about hands-on, interactive events — no one wants another boring PowerPoint. When KidsMatter asked if we’d do the same kind of tech BBQ for their STEM kids that we did recently for local business leaders, we were in. Letting them climb into a Cybertruck, fly drones, mess with AI, 3D printing, and VR — that’s real exposure to real tech. That’s the whole point.
What an Incredible STEM Experience!
Our KidsMatter Springboard students had an unforgettable tech-filled day at Waident Technology Solutions, exploring cutting-edge innovations like AI, virtual reality, 3D printing, drones, and even the smart engineering features and performance of the Tesla Cybertruck!
This hands-on experience left a lasting impact, sparking curiosity and inspiring future careers in STEM.
A huge THANK YOU to our amazing community partner, Waident Technology Solutions. Your commitment to youth development proves that together, we make the impact.
