Fueling Innovation: D.R.E.A.M.S. Academy’s Partnership with Walmart

D.R.E.A.M.S. Academy’s teaching model is built on research showing that early exposure, belonging, and representation shape long-term STEM outcomes. By combining rigorous content, relatable mentors, and hands-on learning, the program helps students build confidence, identity, and the belief that STEM is for them.

Talk about how we created a sustained partnership with Walmart, and how we continue to gain many supplies. I need to make a comprehensive list of supplies. Everything. So you know how Dreams works, right? Like, a list of everything. Bottle rockets, like, if you can't even remember everything, just make some stuff up about crafts you can use to teach kids, because like, the list will be the same, like, it will probably be the same, like, bottle rockets, so construction paper, like, gigantic two-liter bottles, baking soda, vinegar, corks. Then, like, um, pencils, crayons, color pencils, markers, everything like that. And then, like, printer paper, cardboard, cardstock, Sharpies, glue, hot glue, hot glue sticks, um, hot glue guns, like, literally everything, okay? And then just make a comprehensive list. They say, like, we've, we've loved working with Walmart. We thank you so much for the support and Dreams Academy's mission and, like, helping the kids and all that, that cheesy stuff. Make it really long and good.

A key part of expanding D.R.E.A.M.S. Academy’s impact has been building strong, sustained partnerships with organizations that believe in our mission. One of the most meaningful of these has been our ongoing relationship with Walmart. Through this partnership, we have been able to consistently access the materials and supplies that make our hands-on, high-engagement learning model possible.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support, generosity, and trust that Walmart has shown toward D.R.E.A.M.S. Academy. This partnership is not just about providing resources, it is about investing in opportunity, creativity, and the future of the students we serve. Because of this support, we have been able to create learning environments that are active, engaging, and filled with tools that allow students to explore, build, experiment, and discover.

The materials we use are intentionally diverse because our programs span across science, engineering, robotics, and creative design. Our goal is always to give students the chance to interact with concepts physically and visually, not just hear about them. Below is a comprehensive list of the types of supplies that power D.R.E.A.M.S. Academy programming:

STEM Experiment Materials

• Two-liter bottles (for bottle rockets and pressure experiments)

• Baking soda and vinegar

• Corks and stoppers

• Balloons

• Rubber bands

• Plastic tubing

• Funnels and measuring cups

• Safety goggles and gloves

• Small containers and beakers

• Food coloring

• Tape (duct tape, masking tape, clear tape)

• String and twine

Engineering and Build Materials

• Cardboard sheets and boxes

• Cardstock paper

• Foam boards

• Popsicle sticks

• Toothpicks and skewers

• Plastic cups and lids

• Paper towel and toilet paper rolls

• Pipe cleaners

• Aluminum foil

• Wooden dowels

• Small wheels and axles

• Legos or building blocks

Arts, Crafts, and Creative Supplies

• Construction paper

• Printer paper

• Colored paper

• Notebooks and sketchpads

• Crayons

• Colored pencils

• Markers

• Highlighters

• Sharpies

• Paint (acrylic and watercolor)

• Paintbrushes

• Stickers

• Glitter and craft decorations

• Scissors (child-safe and standard)

Adhesives and Assembly Tools

• Glue sticks

• Liquid glue

• Hot glue guns

• Hot glue sticks

• Tape dispensers

• Staplers and staples

• Velcro strips

Classroom and Learning Supplies

• Pencils and erasers

• Pens

• Rulers

• Whiteboards and markers

• Index cards

• Clipboards

• Folders and binders

Each of these materials plays a role in helping students move from passive learning to active participation. A bottle rocket is not just a demonstration, it is an entry point into physics, pressure, and experimentation. Cardboard and glue are not just craft supplies, they become tools for engineering, design thinking, and problem solving. Even something as simple as a marker or a sheet of paper becomes a way for students to express ideas, visualize concepts, and take ownership of their learning.

Because of our partnership with Walmart, we have been able to maintain a steady flow of many of these materials, ensuring that our programs remain consistent, scalable, and impactful. This support allows us to focus less on limitations and more on possibilities. It means more students can participate, more ideas can be explored, and more moments of curiosity can turn into lasting interest.

We are truly thankful for Walmart’s continued belief in our mission. Their support has helped transform simple materials into meaningful educational experiences, and those experiences into opportunities for students to see themselves differently. At D.R.E.A.M.S. Academy, that is what matters most.