STEAM & Dream Liberation Labs

Join us in welcoming Paige Minett to the STEAM & Dream Board of Directors 💜

As we continue working to close the STEM exposure gap across Chicago, Paige's leadership and perspective will help strengthen our impact and support the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders.

Welcome to the team, Paige!

Welcoming Ugochukwu Ukasoanya to the STEAM & Dream Board of Directors!

Ugochukwu brings a powerful background in equity, policy, systems leadership, and community impact through his work with the Chicago Department of Housing and Chicago Public Schools. His passion for creating inclusive opportunities and empowering young people aligns deeply with our mission.

We’re excited to have his leadership and perspective helping guide our work as we continue closing the STEM exposure gap and creating meaningful pathways for students across Chicago.

Together, we’re building a future where every student has access to opportunity, exposure, and the support to dream bigger. 🚀

🚀 Tomorrow’s innovators are already here.

Our Future Innovators Ceremony celebrated students completing our Tech & Engineering To The Future track by giving them the opportunity to present original STEM ideas designed to solve real problems in their communities.

From coding concepts to engineering-based solutions, students used creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to bring their ideas to life and confidently share them with their classmates and mentors.

This experience is more than a presentation — it’s a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given exposure, support, and the space to think big. Through STEM, they’re learning that their ideas have the power to create real-world impact.

We’re proud to continue creating spaces where students can explore, build, innovate, and begin seeing themselves as future engineers, creators, and changemakers. 💡✨

🚀 Tomorrow’s innovators are already here.

Our Future Innovators Ceremony celebrated students completing our Tech & Engineering To The Future track by giving them the opportunity to present original STEM ideas designed to solve real problems in their communities.

From coding concepts to engineering-based solutions, students used creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to bring their ideas to life and confidently share them with their classmates and mentors.

This experience is more than a presentation — it’s a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given exposure, support, and the space to think big. Through STEM, they’re learning that their ideas have the power to create real-world impact.

We’re proud to continue creating spaces where students can explore, build, innovate, and begin seeing themselves as future engineers, creators, and changemakers. 💡✨

ChicagoYouth STEMExposure

Please join us in welcoming Raj Krishnan to the STEAM & Dream Board of Directors 💡

Raj brings decades of experience across technology, cloud innovation, consulting, and higher education. As a founder, technology leader, and adjunct professor, he has dedicated his career to helping organizations and students prepare for the future through innovation and continuous learning.

We’re excited to have Raj joining our board as we continue broadening our mission, deepening our impact, and creating more pathways for students to explore the future of STEM and technology across our city 🚀

🩺 Tomorrow’s Healthcare Professionals Start Here

This spring, our Healthcare To The Future track reached 9 schools across Chicago, giving students hands-on exposure to nursing, wellness, anatomy, and healthcare careers through real-world learning experiences.

To celebrate the completion of the program, we hosted our White Coat Ceremony, where almost 200 students proudly received their white coats in front of their peers, mentors, and school communities.

During the ceremony, each student was individually called forward to receive their coat, symbolizing their growth, dedication, and future possibilities in healthcare.

Students also took part in the White Coat Oath, pledging to lead with compassion, learning, and care as future healthcare professionals.

Moments like this remind us why exposure matters 💙

🩺 More exposure. More possibilities. More futures being shaped.

We were excited to bring hands-on healthcare experiences to Southside STEM Station’s Family STEM Night, giving students and families the opportunity to explore the world of nursing through real clinical simulations.

Students stepped into the role of healthcare professionals by wearing nursing scrubs and RN badges while learning how to use blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, stethoscopes, and other medical tools used in real healthcare settings.

Moments like these matter. Exposure helps students see careers they may have never imagined for themselves and builds confidence through hands-on learning.

Thank you to Southside STEM Station for creating spaces where curiosity, learning, and community come together. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue closing the STEM exposure gap one experience at a time 💜

🌟 Please join us in welcoming D’Antawn Williams to the STEAM & Dream Board of Directors!

As a Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase and LSU alum with a foundation in Electrical Engineering, he understands firsthand how curiosity, opportunity, and guidance can shape a student’s future.

Earlier this year, D’Antawn also spent time with our students sharing his journey in engineering and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger about their futures in tech.

We’re excited to have his leadership and perspective support our mission as we continue expanding STEM opportunities for youth across Chicago.

Welcome to the team, D’Antawn! 🚀