We’re still riding the wave of excitement from STEM Fest 2025—a three-day, nationwide celebration of curiosity, creativity, and all things science! Held in honor of the National Science Foundation’s 75th anniversary, this series of events united students from coast to coast for hands-on activities, inspiring scientist spotlights, and mind-blowing STEM adventures.
More than 700 students across 48 sites joined the fun, exceeding our target reach by nearly 20 percent!
One educator beautifully captured the spirit of STEM Fest, reflecting on the joy it brought to her students: “We are inspired, and this event made a lot of teens truly happy. I still get notes and smiles from students who are excited about what they learned and proudly say, ‘I can be an engineer too!’”
She called it a “wonderful collaboration full of happiness, which is STEM-tastic!” And we couldn’t agree more.
STEM Fest 2025 was powered by a unique partnership between STEM Next and the Teen Science Café Network, blending national coordination with grassroots, youth-led engagement. Together, we brought professional STEM role models directly to students through virtual career chats, all moderated by teens themselves for an authentic, inspiring experience that amplified youth voices while showcasing real-world STEM careers.
At Teen Science Café sites across the country, students kicked off each event with hands-on STEM activities then tuned in together for the live, youth-moderated career chats with STEM professionals, making each session both interactive and locally grounded.
Each day brought its own exciting theme:
May 8 – Next Level Tech
Focused on emerging technologies, digital innovation, and the future of engineering and computing.
Featured Speaker: Elizabeth Q. Contreras, Senior Lab Scientist, Aramco Research Center
May 9 – Health & Life Sciences
Explored advances in biotechnology, medicine, and life systems.
Featured Speaker: Yuri Tsao, Community Engagement Manager, Illumina
May 10 – Earth & Space Learning (Morning)
Highlighted planetary science, environmental studies, and astronomy.
Featured Speaker: Aura Roy, Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin
May 10 – Sustainability & Environment (Afternoon)
Centered on environmental solutions and youth-led sustainability efforts.
Featured Speaker: Will Kirby, ENV SP, PE, Sustainability & Resilience Lead, HDR
A special thank you to Aramco, Illumina, Lockheed Martin, and HDR for participating in this national celebration and inspiring students with real-world STEM journeys.
To everyone who participated, supported, facilitated, and cheered us on—thank you for making STEM Fest 2025 a shining success. Together, we’re igniting passion, possibility, and the power of STEM in the next generation of changemakers.