Gaining STEAM: Volunteers Build Born Learning Trail

We gathered in a neighborhood park in Alexandria, Virginia. Some of us were meeting for the first time, while others were reconnecting. We all were there to build something that would last -- a Born Learning STEAM Trail.

Volunteers, staff from United Way Worldwide, United Way of the National Capital Area, and partners from the City of Alexandria came together to install a series of interactive signs designed to help families turn everyday moments into opportunities for learning. Part of United Way's Born Learning initiative, the trail provides a screen-free opportunity for children to grow, explore, and thrive.

Geared for children up to age 8, STEAM Trails were introduced in 2026 to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) concepts through interactive, outdoor exploration.

STEAM Trail activities include:

• Observing and identifying types of clouds, birds, trees, and bugs
• Exploring balance, gravity, movement, and direction
• Recognizing shapes, patterns, and numbers
• Using creativity, imagination, and problem-solving

Each STEAM activity encourages discovery of the natural world while strengthening early learning and language skills essential for school.

A community effort, start to finish

No one showed up to the installation as an expert. We measured. Re-measured. We assembled signs along the path, and when rain moved in, we shifted under a pavilion, waited it out, and kept going. The spirit of shared ownership stood out.

“Despite some challenges and hurdles, the team worked really well together,” said volunteer Maegan Edmondson. “We had to figure out how to use tools, how to mix concrete, how to put the signs together. And even when it started to rain, everyone adjusted, and we got it done.”

For Melanie Mayo, Community Relations and Engagement Manager at United Way of the National Capital Area, the experience reflected something even bigger. “What stuck with me the most is the community feeling, working together as a team to build this for families and young ones who will enjoy the park.”

Designed for everyday learning

The trail itself is simple. Each sign invites a small moment: counting, observing, asking questions, and learning together through play. The kind of interaction families are already having, just made more intentional.

Beth Vandersall from United Way Worldwide shared, “Families will be able to walk the trail and do different activities together…looking for bugs, identifying trees, and just learning together.”

Even before we started the installation, the park was full of life.

As Katie Meuer from United Way of the National Capital Area pointed out, “There were a lot of kids already playing in the park. Now, as families head in and out, they can stop, check out the signs, and learn new things together.”

The trail doesn’t change how people use the space; it builds on it. That includes making the trail accessible to a diverse community. Expanding multilingual options ensures more families can engage with the content in ways that feel familiar and relevant.

We want to inspire curiosity about the world around them, and make sure all young people have equal access to this kind of learning,"

Ayeola Fortune, Vice President of Impact Programs at United Way Worldwide

Making Learning More Accessible

This kind of space matters because access to early learning doesn’t look the same for every family. It reflects a broader approach to community impact -- meeting families where they are and supporting learning outside of traditional settings.

As Ayeola Fortune, Vice President of Impact Programs at United Way Worldwide, who works across initiatives focused on expanding access to early learning, shared:

“We want to inspire curiosity about the world around them, and make sure all young people have equal access to this kind of learning.”

If this reflection made you think about showing up and making an impact in your community, find your local United Way and see how you can be part of it. Whether it’s building something, supporting a program, or simply showing up for your community, there is a place for you.

If this made you think about the families who will walk a trail like this, you can find one near you. Explore more at bornlearning.org and see how these spaces are showing up in communities across the country.