Elena Zhang
Founder and Director
Run outreach, funding, and coordination; co-founded the org in 2023.
Every kid deserves a shot at STEAM.
We're a small nonprofit with one job: close the gap between "there's a great program for that" and "it's actually near me, and it's actually free."
Our mission
STEAM access for every Inland Empire kid
Inland Empire STEAM for All brings free, hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math enrichment to youth across San Bernardino and Riverside counties. We don't build our own buildings or run our own after-school buses — instead, we partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs, schools, and community centers kids are already walking into every day, and we bring the program to them.
Our story
How we got started
It started in 2023, when we realized that STEAM opportunities in the IE are few and far between. There's a knowledge gap between the community and independently run programs. So we bring STEAM to community spaces.
We started small — borrowed chess sets and one room in the Redlands Boys & Girls Club every Friday. We've been saying yes to the next partner ever since.
our first chess boards were borrowed from Elena's collection!
Our people
Board Members
Charvi Bora
Coach
Keeps the Chess Program running smoothly.
Jayden Liu
Coach
Recruits and trains the coaches and mentors who show up every week.
Hiring!
Community Partnerships Lead
Builds the relationships with schools and clubs that make each new program possible.
What we believe
How we work
Access first
Every program is free. Cost should never be the reason a kid sits out.
Community-built
We show up where kids already are, alongside the partners they already trust.
Hands-on learning
Kids learn by doing — playing the game, solving the problem, building the thing.
Joy, on purpose
If it isn't fun, kids won't come back — so we design for fun first.
Who we work with
Our partners
In partnership with
Redlands Boys & Girls Club
Sessions are hosted at the Redlands Boys & Girls Club, whose staff, space, and after-school members make weekly practice possible. Every Friday afternoon, our volunteer coaches set up boards and open it up to any club member who wants to learn. See Redlands Boys & Girls Club's website for more information about their programs and membership.
Visit Redlands Boys & Girls ClubIn partnership with
Cope Middle School Math Club
This club is exclusively for Cope Middle School students, giving members a familiar, comfortable space to tackle problems together with their own classmates right after the final bell rings.
In partnership with
International Children's Education Association Chess
ICEA Chess is a Southern California chess organization offering group classes, private coaching, and a full calendar of tournaments throughout the year. For families who want to take chess further than our free after-school sessions, their coaches and tournament opportunities are a great next step.
Visit International Children's Education Association ChessIn partnership with
Micah House Redlands
We're excited to be building a new partnership with Micah House Redlands to bring STEAM enrichment to even more Inland Empire families. Program details are coming soon — visit their site to learn more about their work in the meantime.
Visit Micah House RedlandsIn partnership with
Redlands High School Irrational Logic
Irrational Logic is Redlands High School's own math club, meeting during the school day for problem-solving and competition prep. This partnership is open exclusively to enrolled Redlands High School students.
Help more Inland Empire kids discover STEAM
Every program we run is free for families. That's only possible with donors, volunteers, and partner organizations willing to open their doors.