Discover STEAMS Initiative

Economics is often taught as a system of numbers, markets, and trade, but at its core it is about people and the structures that support their well-being. This project-based lesson plan shifts the focus to the common good, encouraging students to think critically about how food, education, health, and shelter can serve as true measures of prosperity and economics. By exploring these foundations, students will begin to see economics not only as theory, but as a tool for shaping healthier communities.

Through the Exploring a Common Good Derivative Economy 8-Step PBLP, learners are invited to ask new questions: What if an economy’s success were defined by the wellness of its communities? How could  investments in social infrastructure foster peace across communities? These questions push students to connect abstract economic concepts to the real needs of their neighborhoods and regions.

Food is no abstract concept or debatable topic. It is a fundamental necessity—woven into the very fabric of the human experience. Across every culture and generation, food represents more than nourishment; it signifies connection, tradition, comfort, and survival. Despite its essential role in sustaining life, access to food remains unequal and, at times, unjustly limited. Still, food—and other basic necessities—can be positively reinforced, shared, and protected as a powerful source of dignity, love, and empowerment.

The Food is Love 8-Step Project-Based Lesson Plan (PBLP) invites learners to deeply examine how food functions as a shared human experience—especially during times of crisis or inequality. From food scarcity and wage gaps to poverty, environmental disruption, and natural disasters, this lesson explores the many forces that influence access to food. Through interdisciplinary discovery, students learn that food is more than a commodity—it is a form of love and a vital thread that connects us all.

The concept of hope can feel abstract or out of reach, especially in the midst of change or the unknown. Yet, hope—when practiced intentionally—becomes a transformative force that fuels innovation, healing, and resilience. What does it mean to hold onto hope in difficult times? And how do we build it—not just for ourselves, but with and for others?

The International Day of Hope 8-Step PBLP invites learners to examine hope as a tangible tool for emotional well-being, social connection, and community impact. Guided by our 8-Step PBLP Framework, learners explore the science, history, and personal narratives behind hope through interdisciplinary discovery and hands-on creation. From neuroscience to the arts, students investigate how hope is expressed, shared, and sustained across cultures and disciplines. In doing so, they learn that hope isn’t passive—it’s a skill we can design, document, and deliver.

In a world often shaped by fast assumptions and divided by difference, we sometimes overlook the transformative power of simply learning about one another and our shared human experience. Appreciation, when rooted in understanding, can be a powerful act of connection and can lead to empathy. What is true empathy? How relevant is it to today's common shared experience? Within classrooms—microcosms of society—students come together with diverse backgrounds, traditions, and stories that deserve to be honored.

The “I Love You Because” 8-Step PBLP invites students to engage in a thoughtful, interdisciplinary exploration of identity, belonging, and appreciation. Guided by our 8-Step Framework, learners reflect on their own lived experiences while investigating the cultural heritage and values of their peers. Through collaborative storytelling, data-driven discovery, and creative expression, students foster empathy by celebrating both commonalities and differences. In doing so, they gain a renewed understanding of how belonging begins not with similarity, but with respect.

From outdated expectations of masculinity to systemic gaps in access to care, the conversation around men’s health is often limited, stigmatized, or ignored. Across communities, men face rising rates of untreated mental health conditions, higher risks of preventable diseases, and cultural pressures that discourage vulnerability. But what if compassion and awareness could redefine what care looks like—and who gets to ask for it?

The Breaking Stereotypes for Men’s Health 8-Step PBLP challenges students to explore how stereotypes, policies, and social norms shape men’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through a STEAMS Initiative approach, learners explore topics such as stress-related illness, health equity, media representations of masculinity, and the role of technology in emotional support. By working with barbershops, local clinics, mental health advocates, and civic leaders, students co-design real-world solutions that promote visibility, empathy, and community wellness. 

From the delayed announcement of emancipation in 1865 to the promises of Reconstruction, Juneteenth represents more than a celebration—it’s a call to examine what freedom truly means, who it reaches, and recall the need for harmony. 

Our Juneteenth Liberation 8-Step PBLP invites learners to explore the historical facts and modern relevance of Juneteenth through a civic lens. Using a STEAMS Initiative approach, students explore the policies of Reconstruction, analyze the impact of redlining and infrastructure inequity, and uncover how local communities create space, a voice, and continued opportunity. Through collaborative partnerships and interdisciplinary projects, students can design actionable solutions that honor the past while building toward a more just future.

From rising rent costs to the enduring legacy of redlining, the struggle for secure and affordable housing affects millions of individuals and families across the country. Housing is more than a structure—it’s a foundation for dignity, stability, and opportunity.

Our Rethinking Affordable Housing and Homeownership 8-Step PBLP offers a STEAMS Initiative approach to exploring housing justice through an interdisciplinary lens. Using the 8-Step PBLP Framework, students examine environmental sustainability, financial literacy, technological access, historical policy, and community design to better understand the housing crisis and its impact. Through storytelling, data analysis, architectural exploration, and partnership with local organizations, students will develop and implement solutions that promote affordable housing, expand access to homeownership, and foster equity—turning learning into long-term impact.