Got Big Feelings and Big Ideas? You're Built for STEAM!
- GLAM Team
- May 22
- 4 min read
Guest blog written by Future Cain, M.Ed.
Hey there! 👋🏽
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re curious, smart, creative, and a little bit of a world-changer-in-the-making. Maybe you love building things, coding, asking big questions, or dreaming up new inventions. That’s STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math — and there’s a place in it for YOU. 💡
But let me tell you something real; it’s not easy being a girl in STEAM. And for girls who are Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, from immigrant families, or living with a disability, it can feel even harder to be seen, heard, and respected.
That’s why I’m writing to you, not just as someone who led STEAM programs in middle and high schools, but as someone who was that girl. I was curious about how things worked. I asked a lot of questions. Sometimes, I felt like I didn’t fit in. But I kept going, because I believed in what I could do.
STEAM is not just about robots and equations; it’s about you, your voice, and how you show up in the world.
Do you often have big feelings and you don't know what to do with them? That’s where SEL and SEE come in. I know, more letters, but keep reading! 😆 These are tools that help you feel strong inside, so you can stay powerful outside. 💪🏾
What is SEL?
SEL stands for Social Emotional Learning. That means skills to:
Understand your feelings (like when you feel nervous before a test, or mad when someone talks over you)
Speak up with confidence
Stay calm when things feel hard
Be a good friend and reliable teammate
Know your worth - every single day
What is SEE?
SEE stands for Social, Emotional, and Ethical learning. It adds one more thing:
Doing the right thing, even when it’s tough.
In STEAM, that might mean standing up when someone is being left out of a group project, or making sure your ideas include everyone, not just people who look like you.
Why this matters for girls like you
When I was your age, there weren’t many people who looked like me leading STEAM spaces. I had to learn how to believe in myself - even when others didn’t. And honestly? That takes emotional intelligence; the kind of smarts that helps you trust yourself, bounce back from setbacks, and shine even when things get stormy.
Girls of color? You might feel like you have to prove yourself twice as much.
Girls with big dreams? You might feel scared to fail.
Girls who care about justice? You might wonder if there’s a place for you in tech or science.
The answer is YES; there's space in STEAM for everyone. But you also need tools to take care of YOU while you chase those dreams.
Here’s how you can start using SEL + SEE today:
Feel your feelings – Don’t hide them. They’re your inner compass.
Lift each other up – We rise higher when we cheer for each other.
Ask for help – Smart girls know they don’t have to do it all alone.
Be curious about people, not just science – Great STEAM leaders are kind, not just clever.
Stand for fairness – If someone is being left out, speak up. Use that big heart and brave voice!
Final truth: The world needs girls like you in STEAM
You don’t have to change who you are to fit into STEAM. STEAM needs to change to make space for all kinds of brilliance, and YOU are part of that change! So show up with your whole self - your curls, your culture, your quiet voice or your loud laugh, your hoodie and sneakers, your glitter and lip gloss - they're all parts of who you are.
You belong in this space. And when you bring your heart and your mind into it? Magic happens. 🌟
You’ve got this—and many people have your back, including GLAM. 💕
Future Cain, M.Ed. is an international speaker as well as a Social Emotional Leadership and Wellness expert. She also holds a Master of Education degree and is the Co-creator of the Wisconsin Department of Education Mental Health Framework. In addition, Future is the CEO and Founder of the and a Certified Culture Facilitator & Assessor. Gain valuable information and soothing meditations from this certified 200-hour wellness and yoga practitioner on the Future of SEL website. 🧘🏽♀️
GLAM values, embraces, and advocates for mental wellness, SEL, and SEE. We weave the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our STEAM education and leadership development programs. We incorporate team-building and trust-building activities into our curriculum. Our attendees also build self-confidence and self-esteem through inspiring, empowering female presenters at our GLAM events, through our engaging online content, and our incredible GLAM Sheroes. 💖
Explore more award-winning content throughout our website, follow @GLAMReadyToLead on socials, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and read other blogs. We're excited to connect with you!
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