The Power of Play: How SteamRocket Turns Fun into Future-Ready Skills
At SteamRocket, you won’t find rows of desks or long lectures. Instead, you’ll see kids knee-deep in slime, launching paper planes across the room or building entire worlds in Minecraft. It might look like play—and that’s the point.
SteamRocket was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: kids learn best when they play. SteamRocket introduces complex STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts in a fun way by tapping into natural curiosity and the excitement of discovery.
“Kids naturally want to learn,” says Justin Decker, co-founder of SteamRocket. “You just have to give them the right environment. When they’re building in Minecraft or launching paper planes, they’re not just having fun – they’re engaging with concepts like engineering, physics, and coding without even realizing it.”
Learning by Doing
Take Minecraft Coding Club, for example. What might look like a group of kids engrossed in video games is actually a hands-on introduction to programming. Using Minecraft: Education Edition, participants learn coding fundamentals to create custom mods, automate tasks, and build structures—all while immersed in a world they love.
The result? Kids build confidence in programming, problem-solving, and critical thinking. A study by the Queensland University of Technology found that Minecraft: Education Edition enhances creativity, collaboration, and student engagement—crucial skills for the future workforce.
SteamRocket’s Great Paper Plane Challenge is another perfect illustration. On the surface, it’s a friendly competition to see whose plane can fly the furthest. But behind every fold and test flight, kids are exploring aerodynamics, engineering, and design iteration – essential aerospace and mechanical engineering skills.
And let’s not forget Slime Science – a fan favorite. Kids mix ingredients in this messy, hands-on workshop to create gooey, colorful slime. It may seem like simple fun, but participants learn chemistry, experiment with polymers, and observe chemical reactions. “It’s about letting them get their hands dirty,” Decker says. “When they see slime goop up, they ask why—and that’s where the real learning begins.”
Backed by Research
The benefits of play-based learning are well-documented. A report from the LEGO Foundation highlights that children who engage in hands-on, playful learning develop stronger problem-solving skills, greater creativity, and better long-term retention of information. Kids are also more likely to pursue STEM fields when introduced to these subjects in an engaging, low-pressure environment.
“Play isn’t just a way to pass the time,” Decker explains. “It’s a powerful tool for learning. We’ve seen kids who are hesitant about science light up after a single session of paper circuits or Hexbug races. They realize that STEAM isn’t just equations and textbooks—it’s about building, creating, and exploring.”
Real Impact in the Coachella Valley
In 2024 alone, SteamRocket welcomed over 1,600 kids to its workshops, events, and clubs across the Coachella Valley. Programs like the LEGO Robotics Club, supported by ChangeX and the LEGO Foundation, have brought hands-on robotics to local communities for the first time. SteamRocket has also joined initiatives like NASA’s Plant the Moon and Mars Challenge, encouraging kids to tackle real-world space science.
Collaborations with libraries in Indio, Coachella, and Mecca have made programs accessible to kids who might not otherwise have the chance to participate. “We want every child to feel that they can be an engineer, a coder, or a scientist,” Decker says. “It starts with making these experiences available to everyone.”
Join the Movement
At SteamRocket, the goal isn’t just to teach and inspire. Whether it’s through Minecraft, slime, or paper circuits, the hope is to ignite curiosity and show kids that STEM is everywhere.
Want to be part of the journey? Join one of our workshops or sign up for a club. The next big inventor, coder, or NASA engineer might be waiting for their spark.
SteamRocket was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: kids learn best when they play. SteamRocket introduces complex STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts in a fun way by tapping into natural curiosity and the excitement of discovery.
“Kids naturally want to learn,” says Justin Decker, co-founder of SteamRocket. “You just have to give them the right environment. When they’re building in Minecraft or launching paper planes, they’re not just having fun – they’re engaging with concepts like engineering, physics, and coding without even realizing it.”
Learning by Doing
Take Minecraft Coding Club, for example. What might look like a group of kids engrossed in video games is actually a hands-on introduction to programming. Using Minecraft: Education Edition, participants learn coding fundamentals to create custom mods, automate tasks, and build structures—all while immersed in a world they love.
The result? Kids build confidence in programming, problem-solving, and critical thinking. A study by the Queensland University of Technology found that Minecraft: Education Edition enhances creativity, collaboration, and student engagement—crucial skills for the future workforce.
SteamRocket’s Great Paper Plane Challenge is another perfect illustration. On the surface, it’s a friendly competition to see whose plane can fly the furthest. But behind every fold and test flight, kids are exploring aerodynamics, engineering, and design iteration – essential aerospace and mechanical engineering skills.
And let’s not forget Slime Science – a fan favorite. Kids mix ingredients in this messy, hands-on workshop to create gooey, colorful slime. It may seem like simple fun, but participants learn chemistry, experiment with polymers, and observe chemical reactions. “It’s about letting them get their hands dirty,” Decker says. “When they see slime goop up, they ask why—and that’s where the real learning begins.”
Backed by Research
The benefits of play-based learning are well-documented. A report from the LEGO Foundation highlights that children who engage in hands-on, playful learning develop stronger problem-solving skills, greater creativity, and better long-term retention of information. Kids are also more likely to pursue STEM fields when introduced to these subjects in an engaging, low-pressure environment.
“Play isn’t just a way to pass the time,” Decker explains. “It’s a powerful tool for learning. We’ve seen kids who are hesitant about science light up after a single session of paper circuits or Hexbug races. They realize that STEAM isn’t just equations and textbooks—it’s about building, creating, and exploring.”
Real Impact in the Coachella Valley
In 2024 alone, SteamRocket welcomed over 1,600 kids to its workshops, events, and clubs across the Coachella Valley. Programs like the LEGO Robotics Club, supported by ChangeX and the LEGO Foundation, have brought hands-on robotics to local communities for the first time. SteamRocket has also joined initiatives like NASA’s Plant the Moon and Mars Challenge, encouraging kids to tackle real-world space science.
Collaborations with libraries in Indio, Coachella, and Mecca have made programs accessible to kids who might not otherwise have the chance to participate. “We want every child to feel that they can be an engineer, a coder, or a scientist,” Decker says. “It starts with making these experiences available to everyone.”
Join the Movement
At SteamRocket, the goal isn’t just to teach and inspire. Whether it’s through Minecraft, slime, or paper circuits, the hope is to ignite curiosity and show kids that STEM is everywhere.
Want to be part of the journey? Join one of our workshops or sign up for a club. The next big inventor, coder, or NASA engineer might be waiting for their spark.
