At the St. Pete Foundation, we believe building community starts with strong relationships, shared goals, and a deep investment in the future. That commitment was front and center at our third annual STEAM Day at the Lealman Exchange, where over 130 local youth engaged in hands-on exploration designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists, artists, and innovators.
Thanks to the support of local summer camps, engaged residents, and dedicated volunteers from Seniors in Service, this event featured 12 interactive STEAM stations hosted by incredible community partners, including:
-
Orlando Health
-
Tampa Bay Watch
-
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
-
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
-
SPCA Tampa Bay
-
Family Center on Deafness
-
Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education
-
Pinellas County Animal Services
-
AmSkills
-
Water Warriors
-
Lealman Exchange
From animal encounters to coding demos, environmental science to art and design, kids had the opportunity to learn by doing—and to ask the kinds of questions that drive future discovery. The event was entirely free and focused on expanding access to STEAM education for all youth in the Lealman community.
Why It Matters
STEAM Day is one example of how we’re working to build a more connected, resilient St. Pete through programming that blends education, equity, and community. With the generous support of sponsors like Publix and the CodeBoxx Foundation, we’re able to keep opportunities like this open and accessible—especially for students who need them most.
What’s Next: Revitalizing the Science Center
This is just the beginning. Our next major initiative is the revitalization of the historic Science Center in St. Petersburg. Once a cornerstone of local science education, the Science Center will soon be reimagined as a vibrant hub for innovation, hands-on learning, and community collaboration.
This project is part of our long-term vision to invest in educational equity, expand STEAM access, and create spaces where every child in St. Pete can dream big and discover their potential.
At the St. Pete Foundation, we don’t just talk about building community—we live it. And we’re just getting started.
