We are
Welcome to Day One Tech STE(A)M (DOT), a Portland-based organization dedicated to empowering youth and families through culturally responsive programs. We collaborate with communities to create spaces of growth and inspiration, blending modern technology with the timeless STEM knowledge of our ancestors.
Our mission is to elevate and equip people for the future, offering STEM education and entertainment services tailored to the unique needs of Black, Brown, Indigenous, Immigrant, and Refugee communities. At DOT, we honor the past while building a brighter tomorrow by using STEM as a tool to create safe spaces where youth can develop critical thinking and decision-making skills essential for success in life.
What sets us apart is our leadership and team of educators of color who bring lived experience and deep cultural understanding to every program we design. Grounded in shared histories and personal resilience, our team reflects the communities we serve, ensuring our work is both relevant and transformative. Decision-making skills are essential for success in life.
How We began
DOT was founded in late 2019 to address the need for a STEM pedagogy rooted in Trauma-Informed Care, Self-Efficacy, and Cultural Responsiveness. Our journey began with an innovative program combining Robotics, Hip-Hop beat-making, and Acrylic Art—a creative blend that set the tone for our mission.
This inaugural program was personally funded by our founder, Benjamin Lostheart, and facilitated on a Saturday by Benjamin alongside Malik, a close friend and one of DOT's earliest supporters. The first class welcomed ten children from the Rockwood neighborhood, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by their experiences with traditional in-school and after-school education.
Built on a foundation of love and respect for our shared identities and histories, the program was a resounding success. From that very first session, we knew we were creating something extraordinary!
Our growth and inpact
By the end of the 2024 school year, DOT had successfully operated programs in 12 schools across East Multnomah County, Portland, and Central Portland, as well as in five apartment complexes. Each day, we proudly served between 100 and 200 young people, offering diverse programs that reflect our commitment to innovation and cultural empowerment.
From cooking classes and Hip-Hop dance workshops to hair services and mentorship programs, as well as gaming, digital art, and STEM education, our programs provided safe spaces for youth to learn, grow, and build critical life skills.
While primarily working with elementary schools, we began expanding our focus on teen programs, setting the stage for significant growth in 2025. DOT continues to be built, led, and powered by members of our collective Black, Brown, Indigenous, Immigrant, and Refugee communities—reflecting the strength and diversity of those we serve.
Our growth and inpact
In 2024, DOT is proud to partner with schools across five districts and affordable and transitional housing communities. We are collaborating with community-based organizations to create innovative, non-traditional approaches that meaningfully connect with youth and their communities.
This year, we’ve expanded our reach with new programs tailored for teens and are actively developing workforce initiatives for teens and young adults and programs to support young parents. Our growing maker space on 170th and Division Street has become a hub for creativity, learning, and innovation, and we’re excited to extend our impact into Washington in 2025.
At DOT, we believe STEM/STEAM is a powerful tool deeply rooted in the ingenuity of our collective ancestors who used it to build civilizations since time immemorial. We strive to rediscover and reignite that power within ourselves and the communities we serve.
If you're ready to experience our unique brilliance, reach out—we’d love to partner with you!
- Day One Tech STE(A)M is a culturally responsive technology education organization that is designed to empower our collective communities that have been traditionally disempowered. We reserve the right to understand STE(A)M as a system of organic ideas our ancestors have cultivated since time and memorial. We provide entry-level technology experience and career education for youth and their families. We provide an education model based on trauma-informed care and cultural construction. We strive to deliver innovative solutions that connect a disconnected community toward a connection that meets people where they are,
- We are embracing an Innovative Educational Philosophy. Our STEM program stands as a pioneering educational initiative, uniquely blending the principles of the engineering design process with an innovative storytelling approach inspired by The Hero's Journey. Our program's heart lies in a deep commitment to imparting STEM knowledge and fostering personal growth, cultural awareness, and responsible technology usage. We aim to empower vulnerable communities, nurturing young minds through a journey transcending traditional education.
- The Engineering Design Process: A Framework for Learning Central to our curriculum is the engineering design process, a dynamic framework that promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This process is a scientific methodology and a metaphor for life's decision-making, guiding students to engage thoughtfully with their world. It helps them understand the interconnectedness of their choices, their impacts, and the importance of considering various cultural perspectives.
- The Hero's Journey: Personal Growth through Narrative. Our program incorporates the essence of the Hero's Journey, transforming each learning session into an episode of a grand narrative. This storytelling approach aligns with the natural human affinity for stories, making the learning experience more relatable and engaging. Each session represents a stage in the character’s journey, paralleling the students' personal growth and development as they navigate the program.
- A Structured Yet Flexible Curriculum: We've meticulously designed an 8-session program, where each session builds upon the last. This template artfully fuses the engineering design process with The Hero's Journey methodology, ensuring each 1 1/2-hour session is a balanced mix of instruction, hands-on activities, and reflective discussion.
- Culturally Responsive: Our educators are educators of color representing our communities. Our programs will be tailored to represent the culture of the greater community and the smaller community within the school or community partner setting. Our goal is to empower our communities and not enable them,