Let's Close The STEM Gap Together
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Let's Close The STEM Gap Together ⋆
Mission
Our mission is to close the STEM exposure gap and improve the futures of Chicago youth through mentorship and hands-on, culturally affirming programming that fosters STEM identity and empowers students to address real-world challenges with imagination and confidence.
STEAM & Dream brings STEM to life through five dynamic tracks—Healthcare to the Future, Tech to the Future, Engineering to the Future, Planetary Guardians, and The Future Equation (Math)—where students explore healthcare pathways and the human body, robotics, coding, cybersecurity, environmental science, engineering design, math exploration, and community-centered problem solving.
Healthcare To The Future
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Students explore healthcare through hands-on lessons that bring medicine, anatomy, and wellness to life. From heart and dental simulations to pharmacy, nursing, and biomedical engineering, they experience the many pathways within healthcare.
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Designed for students in Grades 2–12, adaptable for both in-school and after-school settings.
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Exploring healthcare careers including nursing, medicine, dentistry, mental health, pharmacy, nutrition, biology, biomedical Engineering, and public health
Learning how the human body works through hands-on, age-appropriate activities
Practicing basic clinical and observation skills
Investigating social determinants of health and how they impact neighborhoods
Designing ideas to improve health and wellness in their communities
Connecting with near-peer mentors and healthcare professionals who shared real career journeys
Celebrate achievements with a White Coat Ceremony
Tech To The Future
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Students dive into the world of technology through hands-on lessons that spark innovation and creativity. From building LEGO engineering projects and coding games to exploring robotics, digital forensics, cybersecurity, and web design, students learn how technology powers the world around them.
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Designed for students in Grades 2–12, adaptable for both in-school and after-school settings.
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Coding robots and building interactive technology projects
Creating music and digital media through programming
Exploring cybersecurity concepts and digital safety
Designing and testing basic games and simulations
Learning core programming and computational thinking skills
Solving real-world problems using technology
Collaborating with college STEM mentors who brought tech concepts to life
Shifting from consumers of technology to creators and innovators
Engineering To The Future
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Students explore engineering through hands-on lessons that bring design, innovation, and problem-solving to life. From circuits and chemical reactions to aerospace and biomedical builds, they discover how engineering connects creativity with real-world impact.
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Designed for students in Grades 2–12, adaptable for both in-school and after-school settings.
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Exploring multiple engineering disciplines, including civil, mechanical, biomedical, electrical, aerospace, and more
Participating in hands-on engineering design challenges
Building, testing, and improving prototypes and structures
Solving real-world problems using the engineering design process
Learning how engineers design infrastructure, medical devices, and emerging technologies
Receiving guidance and inspiration from college engineering mentors
Gaining exposure to pathways and careers in engineering
Future Equation
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Future Equation makes math active and exciting through games, puzzles, and real-world design. Students tackle logic and chess strategy, race through a math scavenger hunt, explore geometry through architecture, and bring coordinates to life with graphing challenges. Along the way they build problem-solving, reasoning, and confidence—seeing math as a creative tool that powers every STEM field
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Designed for students in Grades 2–12, adaptable for both in-school and after-school settings.
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Building confidence in math through hands-on, engaging activities
Solving real-world problems connected to careers in STEM and business
Applying math to design challenges, financial models, and coding activities
Exploring how math supports creativity, innovation, and critical thinking
Receiving encouragement and support from trained college math mentors
Learning from guest professionals who use math in everyday careers
Shifting their mindset from math anxiety to math confidence and curiosity
Planetary Guardians
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This lab focuses on environmental science and sustainability, inspiring students to steward the planet. It supports our mission by addressing key environmental issues and promoting ecological responsibility.
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Designed for students in Grades 2–12, adaptable for both in-school and after-school settings.
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Investigating where water, food, and energy come from and how they are used
Exploring the impact of human activity on ecosystems and natural resources
Engaging in hands-on sustainability and environmental science projects
Learning how science, technology, and engineering intersect with environmental justice
Analyzing real-world environmental challenges facing their communities
Designing solutions to support a more sustainable future
Developing a sense of responsibility as environmental stewards and changemakers