Discover STEAMS Initiative

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.

From battlefield remembrance to neighborhood service, the legacy of Memorial Day calls us to reflect—not only on sacrifice, but on how we live in response to it. Through acts of service, remembrance, and public responsibility, we can begin to repair what has been broken and build a more peaceful world.

Our Honoring Service, Building Peace 8-Step Project-Based Lesson Plan invites students to explore the personal and societal path topeace through an interdisciplinary lens. Using the 8-Step PBLP Framework, students will examine the physical and emotional tolls of conflict, the power of literature and public memory, the role of infrastructure and access in reducing the need for war, and the importance of civic service in fostering peace. Through data analysis, storytelling, digital design, and community collaboration, students will implement projects that not only honor those who served—but contribute to a more just and peaceful future for all.

From food security to climate resilience, plant health is at the core of sustaining life—especially in rural and under-resourced communities around the world. When neglected, poor plant health can lead to hunger, economic instability, and the collapse of local ecosystems. But when protected, it fuels nourishment, livelihoods, and long-term sustainability.

Our Growing Plant-Based Solutions 8-Step Project-Based Lesson Plan invites students to explore the vital role of plant health in supporting global well-being. Using a STEAMS Initiative Approach, students will examine real-world agricultural challenges faced in third world countries, study low-tech innovations and traditional knowledge, and design simple, scalable tools to support farmers in vulnerable regions. Through community-centered projects, students will develop practical solutions—like illustrated guides, composting systems, or disease identification tools—that can be shared globally and implemented locally.

From financial markets to local investments, derivatives play a powerful role in shaping economic growth, stability, and opportunity. But when misused, they can also create volatility and widen inequality instead of strengthening communities.

Our Building Positive Economic Derivatives 8-Step Project-Based Lesson Plan invites students to explore how derivatives—both financial and community-based—can be designed to support reinvestment, balance risk, and create sustainable ripple effects. Using a STEAMS Initiative Approach, students will investigate how economic models function, study case examples of successful community-driven derivatives, and design real-world solutions that operate in the "middle of the bell curve"—avoiding both harmful speculation and minimal impact. Through hands-on projects, students learn how thoughtful financial innovation can spark lasting, positive change.

From crosswalks to bike lanes, the design of our streets shapes how we access schools, parks, and local resources. But for many communities, especially those who walk, bike, or use mobility aids, outdated infrastructure can create barriers instead of pathways.

Our Rethinking Our Roads 8-Step Project-Based Lesson Plan invites students to explore how Active Transportation Plans (ATP) aim to make streets safer and more accessible for everyone—especially those using non-motorized ways to get around. Using a STEAMS Initiative Approach, students will investigate traffic data, public feedback, environmental context, and street design to reimagine what walkable, bikeable, and inclusive communities could look like. On Earth Day and beyond, this project empowers students to propose people-first solutions that protect lives and connect communities.

Reaching for the stars has always been a symbol of human curiosity, courage, and progress. From the launch of the first astronaut into orbit to today’s international space missions, human space flight continues to spark innovations that impact life far beyond the edge of our atmosphere. Our Exploring Space Frontiers 8-Step Project-Based Lesson Plan invites students to discover how space exploration drives scientific, social, and cultural advancement here on Earth. Using a STEAMS Initiative Approach, students will examine real-world applications of space innovation—designing solutions, telling stories, and analyzing systems that prove when we explore beyond our planet, we expand what’s possible for humanity as a whole.