STEAM & Dream Liberation Labs

If they can see it, they can be it. 🩺🚀

Only about 12% of the nursing workforce identify as men—and we’re here to change that narrative starting with the 5th-8th graders at Legacy Charter School.

The Men in Nursing team from Rush University spent the day showing these bright students that nursing isn’t just a career; it’s a leadership path rooted in science, advocacy, and action. By bringing male representation directly into the classroom, we’re giving these students a new perspective on what their future could look like.

Who says you can't wear scrubs and change the world? 🚀

🌟 Welcoming Sameka Gates to Our Board of Directors

We’re excited to welcome Sameka Gates to the STEAM & Dream family.

As an educator, parent, and mental wellness leader, Sameka brings a powerful perspective rooted in student growth, community impact, and care.

Her leadership will help guide our continued expansion as we work to bring meaningful STEM opportunities to more students across Chicago.

Because closing the exposure gap takes people who understand what our students need—and show up to build it with us.

We’re honored to have her on this journey.

🌟 From Nursing Dreams to STEM Impact

Students at Southside STEM Station had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Kelly Marie Shepard, CEO & Founder of Kezly Education, whose journey shows that your path can evolve in powerful ways.

Starting in nursing with a passion to help others, Dr. Shepard discovered her growing interest in technology and engineering and turned it into a mission to make STEM learning exciting and accessible for young people.

During her session, she shared her story, inspired students to think beyond one path, and showed how healthcare, tech, and education can all connect. You could see the curiosity in the room as students began to imagine new possibilities for their own futures.

Her story reminded students that where you start doesn’t define where you end up.

✨ Want to inspire the next generation? We’re always looking for professionals to share their journey with our students.

🌟 Meet Jayla — Powering the Systems Behind the Impact

As our Curriculum, Systems & Operations Coordinator, Jayla Johnson keeps everything running seamlessly behind the scenes.

With a background in Information Technology, she plays a key role in organizing our curriculum, strengthening our internal systems, and ensuring our programs are delivered smoothly across all partner sites.

From managing operations to supporting the structure that allows our mentors and students to thrive, Jayla is a driving force behind how we scale our impact.

Because strong systems create stronger experiences and open doors for more students to succeed.

✨ Want to be part of the impact? Join our team or partner with us.

🩺 From curiosity to real-world skills

We had an amazing time at the 5th Annual REACH STEM & Health Fair with Malcolm X College and RUSH University.

Students didn’t just learn about healthcare, they experienced it.

From checking blood pressure and oxygen levels to using stethoscopes and clinical tools, they stepped into the role of healthcare professionals and explored what a future in nursing can look like.

You could see it in real time—questions, excitement, and moments where it all started to click.

This is what exposure looks like. This is how futures begin.

Grateful to Malcolm X College and RUSH for creating spaces like this and for allowing us to be part of it.

✨ More opportunities. More access. More students inspired.

STEMExposure

🩺 From RN to DNP, a journey that shows your story isn’t over

Students in our Healthcare To The Future track learned from Dr. Jocelyn D. Betts, Assistant Professor at Chicago State University, and got a real look into what a career in healthcare can become.

She shared her journey from bedside nursing to earning her doctorate, showing students what growth and persistence really look like.

Students also got hands-on with simulations in blood pressure and eye disease, stepping into the role of healthcare professionals and exploring how patient care works in real life. You could see their curiosity come alive in the moment.

Experiences like this help students connect what they’re learning to who they can become.

✨ Follow us for more moments bringing real healthcare into the classroom

🌟 Meet Dhifana — Driving the Strategy Behind the Impact

As our Program & Marketing Coordinator, Dhifana Intan plays a key role in making STEAM & Dream both run effectively and reach further.

She oversees the coordination of our STEAM Learning Leads across schools and youth-serving partners, ensuring every session is aligned, organized, and impactful. From supporting lesson planning to managing program flow, she helps bring our classrooms to life.

Beyond programming, she leads our marketing efforts, expanding our digital presence and connecting us to new partners, funders, college mentors, and professionals who want to inspire the next generation.

Because of her work, our impact doesn’t just stay local—it continues to grow.

✨ Want to collaborate, mentor, or partner with us? Let’s connect.

In our Engineering To The Future track, students don’t just learn about engineering—they experience it.

From exploring electrical, civil, chemical, and environmental engineering, students get hands-on with the foundations that power the world around them.

They design and build bridges, create architectural models, explore biomedical engineering, and even take on challenges in aerospace engineering by building their own aircraft.

Every lesson is rooted in real-world application—helping students think like engineers, solve problems, and bring their ideas to life.

✨ Want to bring this experience to your students? Let’s connect.

🌱 Big news: we’re partnering with KIPP Academy Chicago!

We’re excited to bring our Planetary Guardian track to 5th–8th grade students, where learning goes beyond the classroom into real-world impact.

From building ecosystems to exploring sustainability and environmental science, students are getting hands-on experiences that connect directly to their everyday lives.

This is what purpose-driven STEM looks like: curiosity, action, and future pathways in one.

More classrooms. More opportunities. More students inspired.

✨ Follow along as we continue expanding across Chicago.