Nexplore’s Magic Program Takes Center Stage at Family Focus’ Dream Builders Dinner
At Nexplore, we always say our programs are designed to help students “explore their passions.” Last month, a group of incredible students from Chicago took that mission to a whole new level—performing live in front of over 400 people at the Family Focus Dream Builders Dinner.
The evening wasn’t just a showcase of talent; it was a celebration of community, leadership, and the “Magic in Motion” that happens when educators and partners work together.
How the Ball Began Rolling
The journey to the Dream Builders Dinner began with a connection. Elliot Bell-Krasner, a former Nexplore instructor now working with Family Focus, saw a perfect alignment between this year’s gala theme—Magic in Motion—and Nexplore’s Magic curriculum.
He reached out to see if our students could play a role in the event’s mission: to help raise more than $850,000 for children and families across Northeast Illinois. We knew immediately that this was a challenge our students were ready to meet.
The Preparation: From Classroom to Center Stage
In the weeks leading up to the event, students at Ruggles Elementary dived into Nexplore’s Wacky Science program, while students at Mays Elementary mastered the art of illusion in our Magic program.
The goal wasn’t just to teach them “tricks.” We wanted to equip these students with the leadership skills, public speaking confidence, and social-emotional tools to guide adults through complex science experiments and perform sleight-of-hand for a massive audience.
Cocktail Hour: Science and Street Magic
As the hundreds of guests arrived for cocktail hour, they weren’t just met with drinks and appetizers—they were met with young scientists and magicians.
The scientists from Ruggles, under the guidance of Nexplore’s Director of Partnerships, Zach Flax (book a meeting with him here!), Ruggles students led interactive stations. They expertly guided donors through the chemistry of making Lava Lamps and the mind-bending physics of Elephant Toothpaste.
The Magicians, led Adam Kosberg, Nexplore’s Regional Excellence Coordinator, and his team of student magicians took to the floor. They practiced “strolling magic,” walking right up to guests to perform illusions. The excitement was palpable; by the end of the hour, students were running back to the group exclaiming, “I performed for 27 people!” and “I just showed 31 people a trick!”
The Finale: A Night to Remember
The highlight of the evening came during the formal program. Adam Kosberg—an amateur magician and occasional performer himself—took center stage. Alongside him were the Mays students, who transitioned from performers to a featured “on-stage audience,” helping Adam facilitate a 20 minute show-stopping finale for the 400 donors in attendance.
You may watch the show here, as Adam comes on at the 14 minute mark and entertains through the 33 minute mark.
The energy in the room was electric. Seeing the students transition from the classroom to a high-stakes gala environment proved that when you give children the right tools and a stage, they will always exceed expectations.
A Partnership for the Future
We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to Family Focus for inviting us to be part of such a high-impact evening. This event was a beautiful reminder that Nexplore programs do more than fill after-school hours—they build the confidence and “magic” that stays with a child for a lifetime.
Congratulations to the Ruggles and Mays students! You truly put Magic in Motion.
From Coast to Coast: Nexplore at BOOST & Empower Youth Success 🚀
Last week, we had the chance to be part of not one—but two incredible conferences across the country: BOOST in Palm Springs, CA and Empower Youth Success in Albany, NY. Different coasts, different conversations… but one shared mission: creating meaningful, engaging opportunities for kids beyond the classroom.
Here’s a quick recap of what we saw, heard, and loved the most:
📍🌴 BOOST Conference: Energy, Innovation & So Much Passion
If there’s one way to describe BOOST, it’s this: electric.
From the moment we stepped onto the conference floor, it was a full sensory experience—bright booths, lively conversations, and a shared passion for helping students thrive. And honestly? That energy never dipped.
One of the biggest highlights was connecting with so many of our current partners and happy clients. Hearing firsthand how much they love our instructors and programs? That’s the kind of feedback that fuels everything we do.
We also had tons of conversations around career-focused and high school programming. There’s a growing demand for opportunities that go beyond the basics—think web design, video production, business programs, biomedical science, and more. (Good news: we’re already there 😉)
Another standout moment was reconnecting with partners and meeting new ones, opening the door to exciting collaborations—especially around emerging areas like podcasting and tutoring.
On a broader level, we saw:
• New funding opportunities emerging across different states
• A strong push toward physical and emotional wellness, with many programs focused on movement and mental health
• Some schools navigating funding challenges—but actively looking for solutions
And of course, California schools continue to lead the way thanks to ELOP funding—creating real opportunities to invest in students’ growth.
📍🏙️ Empower Youth Success: Strategy, Impact & The Future of Afterschool
On the other side of the country, Empower Youth Success brought a more strategic lens to afterschool and expanded learning.
A major theme? The rise of Community Schools and the evolution of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC).
What does that mean in practice?
Schools aren’t just looking for standalone programs anymore. They want partners who can integrate seamlessly into a bigger ecosystem—programs that support academic success, well-being, and long-term student development.
Another key takeaway:
👉 High school programming is in high demand.
Administrators are actively searching for enrichment that connects students to real-world skills and career pathways—especially in advanced STEAM areas. (Exactly where Nexplore shines.)
We also had some exciting partnership conversations, including:
• Exploring curriculum alignment opportunities
• Connecting with organizations for potential future collaborations
• Brainstorming ways to bring even more hands-on, engaging experiences to students
And then there was that moment—the kind that reminds you why this work matters:
One district leader stopped by our booth, clearly drained from a day full of budget conversations. Just a few minutes into interacting with our materials, everything changed. The conversation shifted from logistics… to excitement… to joy.
That’s what we bring.
Not just programs—but moments students actually look forward to.
💡 What We’re Taking With Us
Across both conferences, a few things became crystal clear:
• Schools are looking for impactful, flexible, and future-ready programs
• There’s a growing need for engaging career-connected learning, especially for older students
• Wellness, movement, and mental health are more important than ever
• And most importantly—joy still matters. A lot.
✨ Let’s Keep the Momentum Going
At Nexplore, we’re proud to offer over 125 programs across 5 categories—STEM, Digital Tech, Art, Life Skills, and Fitness—designed to get kids moving, thinking, creating, and growing.
Whether it’s sparking curiosity, building confidence, or bringing a little more joy into the school day… that’s what we’re here for.
Let’s build something amazing together.
