About Us

Our history, vision & mission

Empowering Futures Through Knowledge

Welcome to After the Peanut, a place where innovation meets education and where every child has the opportunity to explore the wonders of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Our journey is inspired by the legendary George Washington Carver, who saw the peanut not just as a crop but as a catalyst for change. In his spirit, we view education as the seed for a brighter, more equitable future.

Who We Are

At After the Peanut, we’re leading a movement towards nurturing Cradle to STEAM Careers. Our mission is twofold: to ignite a passion for learning in young minds and ensure this opportunity is accessible, while also providing curriculum development and support to educators for hands-on STEAM education. This enables us to empower both students and educators alike.

We believe that knowledge and access are the foundation of
progress. From immersive summer camps to innovative leadership programs, our
offerings are crafted to inspire, challenge, and equip the next generation of thinkers, makers, and leaders.

Our Approach

Our unique approach provides hands-on STEAM education with personalized instruction, fostering innovation, collaboration, and leadership. With expert curriculum writers and facilitators, we create a positive learning environment where children of all ages thrive.

Our Impact

Our programs deliver

Cutting-edge skills for the modern era:

  • Design Thinking Foster problem-solving with empathy, creativity, and innovative solutions.
  • Adaptability and Resilience Develop resilience to thrive in adversity and adapt to change.
  • Communication and Collaboration Effectively convey ideas and work collaboratively with diverse groups.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Analyze situations, evaluate information, and make well-informed decisions.

Student Testimonials

We could not be happier with our experience so far. The school places the children at its center, and is led by their interests and needs, whilst managing to be academically rigorous and nurturing at the same time.

from Google Reviews

You have been doing such a wonderful job of keeping activities consistent and coordinating schedules every week. I have been telling all my family and friends what a blessing this school has been during this crisis to keep our home calm. Thank you.

from Google Reviews

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend all four years of the After The Peanut Camps. Your support made my participation possible, and I am thankful for the knowledge and experiences I gained. The summer STEAM camps impacted me in many ways, including taking field trips to exciting places and working on hands-on projects. I learned about various topics, such as technology (my passion area), by visiting Ru Tech Robotic Innovations in Chicago. During the Med Tech Camp, I helped solve a crime and dissected a pig.

Student

The After the Peanut STEAM camp has impacted me by teaching me many new things. In the years that I have attended, I learned how to code, operate robots, fly drones, and create mosaics. I find myself looking forward to ATP camp each summer and meeting new people along the way.

Student

I think that After The Peanut is an amazing camp because I have learned so many new things about coding and science that are cool and fun. The environment at the camp is so nice and fun, and the different camp choices they offer make me happy to learn different things every week. This camp also helps me get off my phone and find new friends who have things in common with me too.

Student

The STEAM summer camp has impacted my life by helping elevate my mood and showing me that there is much more to life than sitting at home. I was a camper for two years, but in the summer 2024 STEAM camp, I worked as an assistant for the instructors. I got to work with kids and enjoyed getting to know them and hearing how exciting and thankful they were to enjoy a fun day at camp. The camp has also influenced my dream of becoming a teacher by helping me work on my connections with kids and think about what more I could do to achieve my dream.

Student

Summer STEAM camp, especially forensics, has really helped me explore new interests and build my confidence. I got to do cool science experiments, learn more about technology, and even try out engineering projects that made me think creatively. The forensics camp was super exciting—I learned how to solve mysteries using science, and now I know exactly what I want to be when I grow up. The field trips were one of my favorite days of the week because we would go out and do science in the real world.

Student

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STEAM Enrichment for Homeschoolers

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever for children to engage in hands-on, meaningful learning experiences, especially in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). For homeschooling families, finding innovative and interactive ways to bring these subjects to life can be a challenge. That’s why we are creating a solution!
At After the Peanut, we understand the unique needs of homeschoolers and are committed to providing engaging, hands-on STEAM experiences that spark curiosity and foster creativity. Our programs will be designed to inspire young minds by blending fun with learning, giving students the chance to explore, experiment, and build confidence in their problem-solving skills. Whether it’s building their own inventions, conducting exciting science experiments, or diving into the world of art and engineering, we make STEAM accessible and enjoyable for every learner.
We will begin our STEAM Club for Homeschoolers in January of 2025. Be a part of the development by completing the survey found here.

STEAM Programming

Whether you’re looking to create a STEAM Club, need updates to your curriculum or need a Makerspace designed, we are here to help! We have worked with Early Childhood Centers, K-8 Districts, Special Needs students and young people currently in juvenile detention centers. Our STEAM programming is based on our clients needs and always focuses on innovation, equity, and accessibility. Email us at info@after thepeanut.com to request a FREE 30 minute consultation to change your STEAM programs for the betterment of the next generation!

Full STEAM Ahead (FSA)

Our Full STEAM Ahead initiative focuses on increasing STEAM awareness in the community, STEAM pedagogy in education , and the delivery of STEAM programs. The program improves the school systems overall effectiveness and supports building a community that is full of thriving families. Full STEAM consists of hands on engaging STEAM activities with our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from across Will County and beyond. Learn the connection between K-12 STEAM and the real world and raise student engagement.
Stay tuned for Full STEAM Ahead workshops for Spring 2025. Sign up to be the first to know here
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STEAM CEO

STEAM CEO provides hands-on and engaging experiences through interactive experiences, field trips, labs and college tours. This program augments traditional school curriculum to provide students with meaningful real world experiences in STEAM and the business behind STEAM products. These programs are open to middle school and high school students. We currently are hosting STEAM CEO: Solar Power at Washington Jr. High in Joliet, IL in partnership with the Farnsworth Group.
Interested in bringing STEAM CEO to your organization?

Summer STEAM Camp

Summer STEAM Camp energizes youth and immerses them into engaging, innovative and forward thinking STEAM experiences. Campers can choose from unique STEAM topics each summer! Each week offers hands-on, real world, active STEAM activities for ages 7-14. Currently we are hosting our Summer STEAM Camp at the state of the art campus of Lewis University Campus and Joliet Junior College in Romeoville, IL. 2025 Summer STEAM Camp Topics will be released in March 2025.