WHAT WE DO

We believe career exposure that meets youth where they’re at can help them envision their future,

prepare to enter the workforce and achieve greatness.

We Engage the Workforce
of Tomorrow

We have a unique method of reaching youth through a hybrid mix of engaging content and in-person programming, that motivates students to envision and pursue their paths.

Building a Bridge to
Careers

We utilize youths’ interests and the Arts to educate and inspire, making STEAM careers relatable and accessible.

We Produce Compelling Culturally Relevant Media

We tell stories of diverse role models that help young people identify with and see themselves in emerging career paths.

Our Mission

To increase youth engagement, awareness and interest in emerging career pathways through media, music, and interactive programming.

OUR IMPACT

Through in-school programming, production and distribution of impactful, relevant content and the building of cross-sector partnerships, STEAM the Streets has become a force in the ecosystem to create a more inclusive STEAM career pipeline.

Accomplishments

Since 2016, STEAM the Streets has directly served over 98,000+ youth in person and virtually, in addition to more than 3 million impressions via online media campaigns.
STEAM the Streets has helped numerous partners reach their outreach and recruitment goals including Cañada College, who saw their Full Stack Development program become their highest enrolled workforce program, thanks in big part to STS’ messaging and storytelling.
A music video we produced about Black Inventors, “Black Made That,” involving over 300 students from Richmond, CA & New Bedford, MA, has garnered 1.5 million cumulative views and 33 thousand shares. Educators across the country are using it to engage students around Black History and STEAM.
Since 2017, we have released ten episodes of “STEAM Powered,” a video series highlighting the stories of underrepresented professionals and rising amateurs in STEAM career fields. We utilize the videos for school assemblies, online distribution, and as resources to help close the opportunity gap. You can find all ten videos in the Discover tab in the STEAM the Streets App.
Through a long-term partnership from 2016-2020 with Carney Academy in New Bedford, MA, our programming helped double the number of 5th grade students who scored proficient on the Massachusetts Science assessment from 30% to 60%.
In 2018, Keith Middle School reached only 7% of their target on the Massachusetts state assessment, and that number jumped to 66% in 2020 after partnering with STEAM the Streets.

Our Story

STEAM the Streets began with a mentor and a mentee.

In New Bedford, MA Ben Gilbarg co-founded 3rd Eye Unlimited, and one of the teen members that got involved in 2001 was Angel Diaz. Through mentorship, Ben introduced Angel to turntablism and by age 17, Angel was already leading, hosting a DJ battle at the 3rd Eye Open Festival.

After years of working independently across education, youth development, and media production, Ben and Angel reunited in 2016 around a clear and urgent need: the widening diversity gap in technology and the growing demand for skilled talent in the workforce. They saw an opportunity to bridge that gap in a way that felt authentic to who they were blending storytelling, music, and culture with real-world career pathways.

From that vision, STEAM the Streets was born.

Starting in partnership with New Bedford Public Schools, they built programs and content designed to inspire and connect young people to STEAM career opportunities. In 2018, the organization expanded bi-coastally when Ben relocated to California, growing both its reach and impact.

Today, Steam the Streets has engaged more than 88,000 users through its career exploration ecosystem, served more than 22,000 students in person, and have partnered with national organizations such as NOAA and the National Wildlife Federation. StS has received multi-year support from key entities such as the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Golden State Warriors Community Foundation.

What began as a single mentorship has grown into a movement, one committed to ensuring that young people, no matter their background, have access to the opportunities shaping our future.

“From 2021-22, we hired STEAM the Streets to produce two videos to promote our academic programs. We were impressed with how they used storytelling to demystify career development opportunities. Their help in marketing led to enrolling a full class and their videos continue to help us enroll students into the program.”

Dr Julian Branch Director of Workforce Development, Cañada College

“I recently had the opportunity to work with Ben Gilbarg and his team on a video project to promote our school. The team's creativity and attention to detail left a lasting impression. They truly grasped the mission and message that we wanted to convey and developed some exceptional ideas and concepts that perfectly aligned with our vision. The final product was beyond our expectations and effectively captured the essence of what we intended to communicate. I highly recommend their team to anyone in search of a top-notch video production team."

Maria FernandesAsst. Executive Director, New Heights Charter School of Brockton

“What impressed me most about STEAM The Streets was their ability to connect with each student in the room, regardless of their background or prior knowledge of STEAM. Their presentation was top-notch, and I have no doubt that it will have a lasting impact on the students who attended.”

Jesica TabronK12 Pathway Developer, Foothill-DeAnza Community College District

"The educator PD underscored the importance of exposing young people to career opportunities they might otherwise not even imagine. The PD pushed educators to think about ways to help students connect their passions with career pathways. Teaching our students that there are opportunities they may not know about is important. Showing our students that people who look like them are not only entering these fields, but leading them, is transformative."

Jennifer McGuireCollege and Career Information Coordinator, New Bedford Public Schools

"My students were skeptical about careers in tech because of a perceived lack of technical skill, knowledge and exposure to mentors in the field . After the presentation, my students were more likely to ask questions, stay open minded, and embrace STEAM the Streets’ powerful message of hope and opportunity. Ben's skillful storytelling, combined with his app and multimedia presentation challenged all of us to think differently about who belongs in tech. Representation matters and I look forward to engaging my students in taking the next steps forward."

David MarroquinCounselor/Teacher, Mountain View High School

“STEAM the Streets is an exceptional organization. I have never seen such an incredible blending of music, performance, innovation, technology, and education. I dare anyone--student, faculty, or community member - to leave a STEAM the Streets event without being energized and inspired - it's impossible!”

Katie RuggieriDean of Math & Science, Massasoit Community College