Cities Connecting Children to Nature

The LA STEM Collective is part of the nationwide initiative Cities Connecting Children to Nature, a partnership between the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities

 

Cities Connecting Children to Nature Los Angeles is dedicated to increasing equitable access to nature and green space across LA County by fostering partnerships between municipalities and community-based organizations. 

LA STEM pulled together a diverse group of community leaders across multiple sectors to form an Advisory Council to guide this work.

  • Education (environmental education, green schoolyards)
  • Infrastructure (parks, transportation, planning)
  • Health & Wellness (physical and mental health)
  • The Land (habitat restoration, native plants, conservancy, community gardens)

The first phase of our work was to conduct a landscape analysis, assessing the gaps in services, the accessibility of green space, and the impact of its absence on our communities. This map is intended to serve as a tool for community-based organizations in Los Angeles, helping them make the case for access to nature.  

The map is currently under construction. Stay tuned!

The next phase of our work is to develop a Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBOR) for LA County.  A COBOR is a symbolic list of outdoor activities that are important for all children to experience.  The LA County COBOR will be specific to the outdoor resources and activities that are available in our region; things that every child in the greater LA area should have the opportunity to experience.

The public comment survey to determine that list of activities is still open. Please lend your voice and help us create a COBOR for LA County.

It’s National STEM Day!

From coast to coast, we are celebrating all things STEM today – from biology and environmental science to calculus and astronomy 🔭

Over the past year, the LA STEM Collective doubled in size! With twice as many members comes twice as many memories, events, panels, and brainstorming sessions – and twice as many creative and fun STEM programs. 🤖

Did you know? Hands-on projects encourage learners to develop real world skills, think outside the box, and foster curiosity with the world around them. 

#LASTEM #NationalSTEMDay #LosAngeles #LACounty #Science #Technology #Engineering #Math
Happy National STEM Day, LA STEM!

💡 Did you know? STEM jobs are expected to grow to over 11 million positions in the US over the next 10 years 🚀

Let’s inspire more curious minds to explore science, technology, engineering, and math — from the bottom of the ocean to the far reaches of the stars 🌍

Cheers to tinkering, experimenting, and embracing your curiosity today!

#LASTEM #NationalSTEMDay #LosAngeles #LACounty
🌿 Today on #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we honor the Tongva people, the original stewards of the land now known as Los Angeles. For thousands of years, the Tongva and Indigenous communities around the world have applied deep knowledge of ecology, engineering, astronomy, and sustainable living—long before the term “STEM” existed

#STEM #Science #Technology #Engineering #Math #LosAngeles
This year’s Black Education Expo was an incredible event! Hosted in the Pasadena Convention Center, the Expo included:

✅ breakout sessions for students, teens, and families,
✅ over 80 organizations offering resources, and 
✅ speeches from local leaders including City of Pasadena Mayor Gordo, Councilmember Hampton, and Congressmember Judy Chu

We were so excited to see so many LA STEM Member organizations at the event, including @south.la.robotics @laepcommunity @innoplaytion @nsbelosangeles @blackgirlscode @petersenmuseum @specialneedsnetwork and more.

Thank you to the BEE team for putting on such a wonderful event — we can’t wait for next year!

#STEM #Pasadena #LosAngeles #LACounty #STEMeducation #BEE #BlackEducationExpo
The LA STEM Collective is thrilled to be a sponsor for the K-12 Black Education Expo. Join LA STEM Members including @south.la.robotics, the @petersenmuseum, @innoplaytion and @nsbelosangeles at this year’s Expo!

The K-12 Black Education Expo returns on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 9 AM – 2 PM at the Pasadena Convention Center. This free, joyful family event brings together students, parents, and educators from across Southern California for a day of parent/educator workshops, youth-led panels, wellness resources, book & raffle giveaways and an Expo Hall with 70+ exciting exhibitors. Families & Educators will love the Joy Zone with face painting, coloring, book giveaways, and games like Spades, Uno, and Dominos. Metro Accessible, Paid Parking On Site. All are welcome—register today at bit.ly/3WNra0x! Visit www.blackeducationexpo.com for more details 

#STEM #LASTEM #Science #Technology #Engineering #Math #LACounty #Pasadena #Event
We love that our membership keeps growing! Welcome to the Collective, @scienceofsport__!

Science of Sport develops interdisciplinary STEM, mental health, financial literacy and wellness curricula and programs for diverse learning environments. Their memorable learning experiences inspire a love for knowledge and empower young minds for lifelong success.

Welcome, Science of Sport! We are excited to collaborate with you!

#LASTEMxScienceofSport #Community #OurLASTEMCollective #NewMember #LACounty #LosAngeles #STEM #science #technology #engineering #math
The LA STEM Collective is excited to welcome @stiix!

STIIX partners with school districts and organizational partners around the country through their super teacher-friendly and affordable STEM Kits, Curriculum, & Technology!

Welcome, STIIX! We are excited to collaborate with you!

#LASTEMxSTIIX #STEM #Community #OurLASTEMCollective #NewMember #backtoschool #science #tech #engineering #math #teachers #losangeles #lacounty
The LA STEM Collective is excited to welcome @abe_losangeles to the Collective!

Amgen Biotech Experience is an educational biotechnology program that empowers teachers to bring hands-on biotechnology curriculum into their classrooms. The complete ABE curriculum includes 6 labs that teach students how to make a protein by genetically modifying bacteria. The labs follow the same procedure used by scientists to create medicines, like insulin, to treat diseases.

Welcome, Amgen Biotech Experience! We are excited to collaborate with you!

Interested in joining the Collective? Visit our website or send us a message at info@LASTEMCollective.org for more information. 

#LASTEMxAmgenBiotechLA #LASTEM #Community #OurLASTEMCollective #NewMember #stem #science #tech #engineer #math #backtoschool #losangeles #lacounty
LA STEM is excited to welcome @parkerandersonla to the Collective!

Parker-Anderson has been the leader in after-school enrichment since 1986. They now offer the broadest selection of services for after-school classes, extended day childcare, in-school programming and summer camps. Their programs include Sciences, Tech, Robotics, Makerspace, Architecture, Marine Bio, and more!

Welcome, Parker-Anderson! We are excited to collaborate with you!

#LASTEMxPAE #LASTEM #Community #OurLASTEMCollective #NewMember #science #technology #engineering #math #losangeles#lacounty#backtoschool