We BUILD current and next-gen STEAM professionals.
The Coalition continues to grow, and we are excited to invite you to STEAM Connect Pop-Ups, our series of free events that connect current professionals with the next generation of STEAM talent.
Starting in the 2025-26 school year and continuing through 2026-27, we are offering our STEAM Connect Pop-up events to bring youth to real STEAM workplaces. Participants will see where STEAM careers can lead, and will learn from real STEAM Pros about their own career pathways. Register for these FREE events today.
Please consider offering a Pop-Up at your workplace to help guide next-Gen STEAM Pros down enriching career pathways.
If you are not yet a member, please join the Steam Pathways Coalition and become part of the next-gen of STEAM professionals! It’s free.
What we do
One of our first initiatives was our STEAM Minecraft™ Program events, hosted by BESThq, that curated like-minded builders via innovative and inspiring activities promoting the amazing world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). Typically, we provided snacks, technology tools / laptops, a secure server and space for building with current and future STEAM pros. In 2020, we adapted to a FULLY VIRTUAL experience using Zoom with Breakout Rooms and our in-house, cloud accessible Minecraft Server. This evolved to a hybrid experience with both on-site and remote participants. View Pix.
Uniquely positioned as a business community with deep STEAM roots, we “intentionally intersect” and open pathways for development of youth, as well as seasoned pros.
Impact
From our first STEAM Minecraft Night in 2016, over 1,000 kids of all abilities have learned teamwork, problem solving, public speaking and leadership in a fun, creative and confidence building program. We’ve completed nearly 100 events in Oregon and Washington, including livestreams monthly through the pandemic!
Over 100 STEAM professionals have “paid it forward” by mentoring, coaching, and creating pathways to successful careers for kids.
See the article “Full STEAM Ahead: Tech & DHS Collaboration Keep Students Engaged” featuring program impact and opportunity in My Oregon News (State of Oregon publication).
Our purpose
BESThq’s STEAM Minecraft, Pathways and Connect events activate, engage and grow, future & current STEAM Professionals with collaborative and creative learning through STEAM-focused planning, design, and building using tools such as the virtual, sandbox game Minecraft, coding, Legos™, 3D printing and Lego Robotics as well as on-the-job experiences with current STEAM Pros. Beginning with late elementary and middle school youth, with focus on underrepresented communities & those with exceptionalities, the program encourages STEAM pathways while building three areas: Minds, Relationships and Opportunity.
Learn more about our vision and from our STEAM Pathways manager, Luis Lopez, in this video.
See our calendar for more information about upcoming STEAM events.
Get involved!
Six ways to BUILD together:
- Join us at an upcoming event
- Host a STEAM Connect Pop-up at your workplace
- Use our Interest Form to join our BESThq STEAM Pathways Newsletter
- Host / Sponsor future offerings and let’s build the program Sponsorship page
- Join our STEAM Pathways Coalition
- Check out and support the partnering non-profit Little Engineers Education Foundation
