STEAM Sneakerheadz™ is an education consultation business that combines the passion for sneaker culture with the principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM).

We strive to expose students and the public especially those within underrepresented, underserved, and marginalized communities to advanced STEAM science topics. Utilizing hip-hop and sneaker culture as the main topics at the end of the workshop participants create and design their custom STEAM sneaker artwork.

STEAM Sneakerheadz is a program that not only educates students about the chemistry of sneakers but also inspires them to pursue their passions and interests in STEAM fields. By combining sneaker culture with STEAM education, STEAM Sneakerheadz hopes to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Sneaker culture, aka “Shoe game,” is an influential and extensive cultural focus amongst the PEERs community. Shoe game refers to footwear, specifically sneakers, and its impacts on fashion, athletics, and musical trends.

For example, Nike Air Force Ones are a very popular sneaker and were first promoted with the sneaker anthem, “Air Force Ones,” by Nelly in the early 2000s. Nelly raps, “(I said) give me two pairs, (‘cause) I need two pairs, (so I) can get to stompin’ in my Air Force Ones, Big boys stompin’ in my Air Force Ones.” To this day, his music and these sneakers still have cultural influence and are promoted by other artists. Teaching STEAM material using hip-hop culture pedagogy has recently been introduced as an approach to teaching a variety of subjects.

During a STEAM sneaker art workshop hosted by myself, Jakyra Simpson, aka Ky the Chemist students create and customize their sneaker artwork. In each workshop, we introduce chemistry concepts and provide a chemical demo (if applicable), and a hands-on activity. Workshops are created for students in grades 6-12 and up to adults. These workshops are designed to promote STEAM education with project-based learning and hands-on activities.  

 As a first-generation college student and graduate student, I experienced racism, imposter syndrome, and ample adversities throughout my academic journey.

I have always had a passion for learning but have found myself disconnected from my classes and material because of the adversities I have experienced. I noted that the majority of STEM material I had been exposed to needed to be more inclusive and more representative of myself and my culture, which would make this material more engaging.

Based on my experiences, I was inspired to help address the gap between Underrepresented Minorities (URMs), Persons Excluded Ethnically by Racial groups (PEERs), and STEM interests, which will contribute to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive scientific community.

Workshops can be adjusted based on group size, location, and needs for participants. Currently, we offer three workshop styles: A 6–7-week series sneaker art workshop, a single comprehensive “mini” lesson, and a weekend 3–4-hour sneaker art workshop, you can find more details below:

• A 6–7-week series workshop: This is a comprehensive and interactive workshop that covers the basics of sneaker chemistry, such as polymers, rubber, leather, dyeing, and bonding. The workshop also includes hands-on activities where students can create their own custom STEAM sneaker art using various techniques and tools. The workshop culminates in a final project where students showcase their creations and explain the science behind them.

• A single comprehensive “mini” lesson: This is a condensed version of the workshop that covers the main concepts and skills of sneaker chemistry in one session. The lesson includes an introduction to various chemical concepts such as dyes, hydrophobicity, and polymers. Students will take the chemistry from this lesson and apply it to create custom art mini sneaker keychains.

• A weekend 3–4-hour workshop: This is a fun and engaging workshop that focuses on the creative aspect of sneaker chemistry. The workshop also provides students with the opportunity to design and decorate their own sneaker art using various materials and tools.

No, sneakers is my first topic but I have also hosted workshop centered on the Chemistry of Cosmetics, Natural medicine, Fashion, Hip-Hop culture, Goal-setting skills, Vision Board parties, Networking, and many other topics.

You can click on the button below to submit your request