LOS ANGELES, CA (2025 September 08)  — On a warm August afternoon, the LA STEM Collective showed off its brightest colors in South Central Los Angeles. The gathering of Los Angeles science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) organizations served as a joyful reunion and launchpad for budding partnerships and collaborations. Passionate STEM educators, professionals, and youth leaders joined to celebrate 5 years of innovation, collaboration, and service to the students and families of Greater Los Angeles. The celebration highlighted LA STEM’s milestones, with recognition from members of the US House of Representatives, the California State Assembly and the County and City of Los Angeles.

“As students return to school across Los Angeles County, we need to remember that there are still children that do not have access to quality STEM education or opportunities,” shared Jamecca Marshall, Executive Director of LA STEM Collective. “The LA STEM Collective is a powerhouse of organizations and individuals committed to filling in the gap by supporting students and teachers and access to science, technology, engineering, and math education and career opportunities.”

A dynamic speaker lineup offered powerful reflections on the critical role of STEM education in shaping Los Angeles’ future. Tanya Ortiz Franklin, LAUSD District 7 Board Member, Jessica Sawko, Statewide Director of the California STEM Network, and Steve Baule of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability underscored the life-changing power of STEM education.

Youth leaders and LA STEM Collective members wowed attendees with interactive displays of their classroom programs. The event brought LA STEM resources for students and families front and center, showcasing LA STEM Collective’s after-school programming, its response to the January 2025 wildfires, and the Collective’s key role with Stitch, a new online platform for families to discover after-school programs. Eye-catching exhibits included a self-solving Rubik’s Cube robot, a digital microscope, and a DIY cardboard pinhole camera—sparking curiosity across all ages.

“The LA STEM Collective was created 5 years ago to help solve that problem and increase access to STEM for all, “ noted Jamecca Marshall. “There is still a lot of work to do, and LA STEM is all systems go to continue expanding STEM learning opportunities throughout LA County.”

Student speakers, including Aammarah Gage, a student of Mechanical Engineering at UCLA, and Katelyn Liu, a high school student and founder of WOW! That’s STEM, shared personal stories of how STEM has inspired them.

 “I loved getting to connect with so many organizations, professionals, and educators, and it was such a joy to introduce LaunchBot to the community,” reflected Sarah Siegel, founder of LaunchBot and a high school student. “I feel so lucky to be part of the LA STEM Collective.”

Now numbering over 100 member organizations and counting, the LA STEM Collective works as an ecosystem for STEM across Greater Los Angeles, connecting educators, community-based organizations, universities, museums, industry partners, and more. Together, LA STEM Members collaborate, create, and implement innovative learning opportunities to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders in Greater Los Angeles. 

“In a time when our education opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce, LA STEM Collective is proving that we can still uplift and inspire the oncoming generations,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez.  “STEM education is not a luxury — it is a necessity. It equips our students with the tools, skills, and stimulates confidence to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”

For photos from the event, please visit our website.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Maddie Warner

Admin & Communications Coordinator

Maddie@LASTEMCollective.org

(213) 787-4044, ext. 4

About The LA STEM Collective

The LA STEM Collective collaborates to provide the young people of Greater LA equitable access to high-quality learning experiences, opportunities and resources. LA STEM envisions a Greater Los Angeles where all learners have the opportunity to become creative, critical thinkers and doers. For more information, visit www.lastemcollective.org