FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Partner in Possibility,
A decade ago, STE(A)M Truck began with a question: What if hands-on innovation were accessible to every young person, not just those with opportunity or privilege? Today, the answer is unfolding across Georgia.
Because of partners like you, we've seen 10,335 students step into new identities as creators and problem-solvers, 937 educators adopt makercentered practices, and 57 schools and organizations integrate experiential STEM learning.
These numbers matter, but what they represent matters more. A middle schooler who never thought of themselves as "a STEM kid" until they built their first robot. An educator who introduced design thinking for the first time. A community declaring that innovation belongs here.
This work is about belonging: building the identity and confidence young people need to thrive in a future shaped by AI, engineering, and clean energy.
As we step into our next decade, we're expanding our reach. With your support, we will grow rural programming, scale our PreK–8 continuum, and strengthen workforce learning.
Together, we're preparing the next generation of STEM leaders and helping them realize they already are.
With gratitude and determination,
"We are not just teaching science, technology, engineering, art, and math. We are helping students discover who they are, imagine who they can become, and build the communities they deserve."
Marsha Francis, PhD | Executive Director
A MOVEMENT TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING
STE(A)M Truck is more than a program—it's a doorway into possibility and identity-building for young people who deserve to see themselves in the future. With every workshop and mobile visit, we witness what happens when students are given tools and trust: they rise, build, and believe. Together with our partners, we're transforming learning spaces into places where innovation feels like home.
ABOUT STE(A)M TRUCK
STE(A)M Truck partners with schools, districts, and out-of-school time organizations across Georgia to bring hands-on, makercentered learning directly to students. We provide industry-grade tools, expert facilitation, and educator professional development that build workforce-ready skills while sparking curiosity and confidence. Together with our partners, we create pathways where every student can explore, create, and see themselves as innovators ready for college and meaningful careers.
We do 2 things really well:
1
We empower teachers to continue this work once we drive away by building skills and changing mindsets.
We give youth an opportunity to get their hands dirty and make things using real tools and technologies.
Our Vision
STE(A)M Truck envisions a world where every young person, regardless of background or zip code, is equipped, empowered, and inspired to thrive in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) careers and create innovative solutions for their communities.
Our Mission
At STE(A)M Truck, our mission is to close the opportunity gap in STEM education by providing hands-on, experiential learning that engages, equips, and empowers youth and educators. We drive innovation and creativity through mobile maker spaces and community partnerships, ensuring every student can access the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a technology-driven world.
2023-2025 HIGHLIGHTS
A New Home at Pittsburgh Yards
We moved into a permanent makerspace in Atlanta’s historic Pittsburgh community — a space where collaboration, creativity, and belonging can flourish. This location allows students, educators, and families to engage with tools, materials, and learning experiences year-round.
New Board Members & Leadership
We welcomed a new Board of Directors with deep roots in education, philanthropy, workforce development, and community innovation. Their leadership is helping us grow with intentionality, sustainability, and courage.
10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Our 10-year anniversary wasn’t just a milestone — it was a community celebration of identity, access, and joy. Partners, educators, families, and youth joined us to build, dream, and reflect on a decade of learning rooted in equity and possibility.
INNOVATION IN MOTION
Harvard Business School Upswell Forum
Leadership participated in the Harvard Business School Upswell Forum, strengthening capacity in strategic planning and organizational development.
Sparking STEM in Rural Georgia
With support from the Dobbs Foundation, we launched our first rural learning hub in Twiggs County. Students and educators there now have hands-on access to the same tools and experiences available in Atlanta.
Launch of Full STE(A)M Ahead Program
Funded by The Goizueta Foundation, this multi-layered initiative integrates educator coaching, student programming, and materials access — creating a living blueprint for long-term, schoolwide transformation.
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
10,335
Young Innovators Engaged
sparked curiosity for future innovators throughout Metro Atlanta and beyond
57 Educational Partners
937 Educators Empowered
Where We Drove Innovation
STE(A)M Truck rolled into schools, neighborhoods, community centers, local events—meeting youth where they are with hands-on experiences that ignite curiosity and unlock the power of STEM.
Impact Across Georgia
Out-of-School Transformation Sites:
Agape Youth & Family Center
Boys & Girls Club
Breakthrough Atlanta
Girl Scouts
Valesco Family Foundation
1,138 Program Hours Delivered
120 Community Touchpoints
School Reach: From B.E.S.T. Academy to Twiggs County Public Schools, we brought maker-centered learning to 16 schools, engaging students and empowering teachers with new STEM approaches.
YMCA
District-Wide Impact: APS, Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Twiggs County—five school districts chose STE(A)M Truck as their catalyst for change.
YOUTH SURVEY RESULTS: REAL IMPACT, REAL LIVES.
Throughout the year, we like to check in with our student participants before and after STE(A)M Truck engagements to hear their thoughts. This year’s survey results put a huge smile on our faces.
How Did Our Young Makers and Creators Respond?
What careers are more interesting to you because of your time with STE(A)M Truck?
How would you rate your STE(A)M Truck experience?
What Captured Their Hearts the Most?
WHEN EDUCATORS THRIVE, STUDENTS THRIVE
Our work isn’t only about students — it’s about the adults who guide, model, and amplify learning long after the truck departs.
Educators tell us STE(A)M Truck helped them:
Feel more confident teaching STEM
Incorporate hands-on projects into core academic learning
Shift from “instruction” to co-creation alongside students
One educator reflected:
“Our learners are building their brains and their capacity to mitigate food scarcity in communities where food resources are limited.
With creative, critical thinking and the appropriate resources and support, problem-solving is ACTUAL and ALIVE at Price Middle School”
— Dr. Tyneisha Hamilton, Price Middle School
This is the heart of our model: We build capacity, not dependency.
THE COMMUNITY WHO MAKES IT POSSIBLE
STE(A)M Truck’s success is fueled by a team of energetic partners, educators, and youth who help us build learning experiences that are not only hands-on, but also life-changing.
Partnership Powerhouses
When corporate vision meets community need, transformation accelerates.
Nike • Goizueta Foundation • Micron • Snipes • The Home Depot • PPG Foundation
• Cox Enterprises • Mercedes-Benz Stadium • T.D. Jakes Foundation • Spelman College • Georgia State University
City-wide Initiatives
Engaging young minds across Metro Atlanta
AI Day in the A • Atlanta Science Festival • ChangeMaker Faire • MercedesBenz STEAMFest • Southern Black Girl Conference • Tech the Halls @ CHOA • STE(A)M Truck Saturdays
Full STE(A)M Ahead Cohort 2
STE(A)M Sprouts: Pre-K–2 Programming
WHAT’S NEXT?
The road ahead isn't just bright—it's blazing with possibility.
Eyes on the Horizon: The Future We’ll Build Together
As we look to the future, STE(A)M Truck is evolving and expanding its vision to bridge the STEM gap. Together, we’re creating new avenues for learning, innovation, and possibility for a wider community of students and educators throughout Metro Atlanta—and beyond.
Our North Star: STE(A)M Truck’s Mission
Engage, Equip, and Empower youth and educators through maker-centered, career-connected learning.
Our Path Forward: Three Pillars of Transformation
Guided by input from educators, youth, partners, and national experts, we established three distinct pillars to both anchor our plan and drive it forward.
1 2 3
Deepen Youth Impact
Engage Pre-K through middle grades during critical STEM development windows Design programs that show students they belong in STEM
Use hands-on learning to connect classroom activities to real careers
Empower Educators
Boost confidence through codified professional learning Provide scalable curriculum that works in every classroom
Advance AI literacy to equip educators for the future
Strengthen Our Foundation
Build leadership capacity that matches our ambition
Design operational systems that drive excellence
Diversify revenue streams to ensure longevity
Our Roadmap: Keys for Creating Transformation
Engaging Youth – Inspiring young people to pursue STEM pathways with confidence and purpose
Equipping Educators – Providing teachers with the tools, training, and enthusiasm to seamlessly integrate STEAM
Empowering Communities – Delivering a nationally recognized model to prove that equity-driven maker education works everywhere
THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO SHAPE TOMORROW
You have the power to help inspire the next generation of dreamers, makers, and creators. Join us in providing today’s youth and educators with the tools and experiences to discover that they’re capable of even more than they ever imagined.
Help Us Build the Next Decade of Impact
Give
Invest in the moment when a young person realizes they can change the world
Partner
Align your organization's values with programming that creates measurable community change
Volunteer
Bring your skills, passion, and presence to the communities that need them most
Advocate
Amplify the message that every young person deserves access to innovation and opportunity
A Final Word from the Field
“She loved the STEAM Truck Camp, where the theme focused on urban planning. Her group built a mini city, forming a local government that divided responsibilities across community services, infrastructure, utilities, and sustainability. She stepped into a leadership role, helping organize her peers and bring their vision to life. Her favorite part was designing the city’s green features: adding solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and rooftop gardens to address food deserts. I was incredibly impressed by her creativity, leadership, and problem-solving throughout the project.”
WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR PARTNERS AND LEADERS
Every investment — whether financial, in-kind, or relational — helps build a future where all young people have access to transformative learning.
We are deeply thankful for the institutions, companies, and leaders who stand with us as we expand access, equity, and opportunity.
2023-25 FUNDERS
Anonymous Donors
Arconic Foundation
ATS Corporation
2024-25 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kellye Britton, Board Co-Chair National Association of Minority Contractors, Atlanta
Blank Family Foundation
Enon Baptist Church
Esoteric Ventures LLC
Goizueta Foundation
Pitney Bowes Foundation
STEM For Every Child
Strategic Link Cares
The Imlay Foundation, Inc.
The Luluma Foundation
Zeist Family Foundation
Chad Mandala, Board Co-Chair Guidehouse
Darius Williams, Secretary Apple
Isoke Martin, Treasurer Truist
Jamal Lewis, Member Partnership for Innovative Inclusion
Brandon Shields, Member Micron
Carla Shields Mills, Member Avantor
