Ben Dickow
Hello
Ben Dickow
Advisory Board Member
About Me
Benjamin Dickow is the founder of the LA STEM Collective. Through the Collective and as the leader of the founding task force that created another intermediary organization, Ben has worked to integrate and make more accessible all of the out-of-school time resources in Greater Los Angeles in order to strengthen education across the region. At the same time, he is the President and Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center, a space museum and science learning center located in Downey, California. He also serves as the City’s Library Director.

Ben’s work is informed by over 25 years of experience in out-of-school time education. He has served in major museums in cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles; as the Creative Director at a major experience design firm; as a Director for a resource center of the National Science Foundation; and also as a consultant, developing museum experiences and leading master planning initiatives. He serves on boards and committees of several organizations, including the Association of Science-Technology Center and the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair.

Ben holds a degree from the University of Chicago and has been fortunate to be able to use a number of different media to engage the public with science including exhibits, print, digital and as an on-air correspondent for the PBS television program “Wired Science.” In 2008, Ben founded the community-based Westside Science Club, which for 10 years worked in partnership with low-income housing providers to bring interactive learning and social experiences to youth who were under-resourced in LA.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" – Martin Luther King Jr.

Our LA STEM Collective members commit each day to sharing the joys and opportunities of science, tech, engineering and math education to students. Today as we remember Martin Luther King Jr., we should each ask ourselves - how are we servicing a greater good: in our families, in our communities, and for our world.

The LA STEM Collective is a growing network of 150 organizations dedicated to serving the greater good by sharing STEM learning opportunities with students and learners of all ages around Los Angeles County. 

How are you spending your Martin Luther King Day? Let us know in the comments ⬇️

#MLKDay #MartinLutherKingJr #DreamBig #ServeWithPurpose #TeachTheDream
Happy Holidays, LA STEM!

Wishing you and your loved ones a bright holiday season and New Year -- may your code compile, your chemical reactions have no waste, and your triangle ruler be always within reach. It's been an incredible 2025, and we are excited for 2026!

With joy,
The LA STEM Collective team 🥳

#LASTEM #STEM #Science #Technology #Engineering #Math
Happy Holidays, LA STEM! Are you still searching for the perfect gift for that special someone? 

Maybe they’ll love…

A chromebook from @human_i_t to learn how to code 🧑‍💻

A rainbow lightbulb from @museumofneonart to provide a spark of inspiration 💡

A Catalina bison from @emeraldbayoutdooracademy to share their love of CA wildlife 🦬

A DNA ring from @etsy to show off their STEM style 💅

Or an “I’m a Scientist” tee from @hiphopscienceshow to let the world know how awesome they are! 🔬

Check out these gifts and more from the LA STEM Collective’s 2025 STEM Gift Guide at www.LASTEMCollective.org/GiftGuide

#STEMGifts #STEMToys #STEMLearning #EducationalGifts #GiftIdeasForKids #KidsGiftGuide #GiftsForKids #EarlyLearning #HandsOnLearning #LearningThroughPlay #SmartToys #FutureInnovators #CuriousKids #CreativeKids #ParentsOfInstagram #TeachersOfInstagram #etsy
Wrap science or engineering in this year’s gifts – from 13 year olds to 18 year olds, we’ve created a specialized list of fun and engaging hands-on gifts.
 
🎧 Explore all facets of STEM with a Eureka Create – build a set of headphones, a working laser speaker or printing press with this box of fun

🧬 Celebrate loving STEM in small and large ways with a set of STEM enamel pins, perfect for a lanyard or backpack

🪓Get crafty with @parksandrec’s Nick Offerman with the Little Woodchucks book, perfect for the maker in your family

🪺Dive into the world of birds with Wingspan - build habitats and create a strategy to protect your birds!
 
Check out these gifts and more from the LA STEM Collective’s 2025 STEM Gift Guide at www.LASTEMCollective.org/GiftGuide

#STEMGifts #STEMToys #STEMLearning #EducationalGifts #GiftIdeasForKids #KidsGiftGuide #GiftsForKids #EarlyLearning #HandsOnLearning #LearningThroughPlay #SmartToys #FutureInnovators #CuriousKids #CreativeKids #ParentsOfInstagram #TeachersOfInstagram #parksandrec #parksandrecreation
Do you have an inquisitive 8 year old at home? Does your pre-teen neighbor get SUPER excited about tech? 

You may be the perfect person to inspire them with a STEM gift this holiday season!

Check out our gifts for 8-12 year olds, including:

A spider robot from @nhmla to bring Spiderman and technology together 🕸️

A Crystal Garden from @nationalgeo to wow them with beautiful chemistry 🧪

Jane’s Endangered Animal Guide by JJ Johnson and Christian Simms  from @rootsandshoots to inspire them and learn about animals around the world 🦍

Or a Circuit Maze Board Game to spark their logical thinking and challenge themselves ⚙️

Check out these gifts and more from the LA STEM Collective’s 2025 STEM Gift Guide at www.LASTEMCollective.org/GiftGuide

#STEMGifts #STEMToys #STEMLearning #EducationalGifts #GiftIdeasForKids #KidsGiftGuide #GiftsForKids #EarlyLearning #HandsOnLearning #LearningThroughPlay #SmartToys #FutureInnovators #CuriousKids #CreativeKids #ParentsOfInstagram #TeachersOfInstagram
📚Quotes from the Classroom 📚

Expanded learning and afterschool programming offer opportunities for students to explore their interests, see role models, and practice what they’ve learned in the classroom. This Spring, LA STEM brought hands-on STEM programs to 46 afterschool programs at LAUSD schools this spring.

Afterwards, we asked the afterschool educators to share an “a-HA” moment that their students had during their programs. Here’s what they said:

📐 “I recall a student [who] was a special ed student. Although the activity was challenging, he tried and was able to participate. This was a rewarding experience for all involved.” 📐

The LA STEM Collective brings challenging and rewarding hands-on STEM activities to schools around LA County. Learn more at www.LASTEMCollective.org

#STEM #LASTEM #ExpandedLearning #StudentLearning #Education #STEMEducation #HandsOnLearning
Are you still hunting for the perfect gift for your little one?

Give your little one the gift of creative and imaginative playtime this holiday. Help them practice their fine motor skills and spark wonder with these science gifts.

 ⚙️Take engineering on the go with a Magna-Tiles Travel Set 

🌧️ See physics in motion during bathtime with Plui Rain Cloud from @kidspacemuseum

🍃 Explore the great outdoors with Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find? 

🦋 Watch the amazing lifecycle of butterflies with a Butterfly Garden Kit 

Check out these gifts and more from the LA STEM Collective’s 2025 STEM Gift Guide at www.LASTEMCollective.org/GiftGuide

#STEMGifts #STEMToys #STEMLearning #EducationalGifts #GiftIdeasForKids #KidsGiftGuide #GiftsForKids #EarlyLearning #HandsOnLearning #LearningThroughPlay #SmartToys #FutureInnovators #CuriousKids #CreativeKids #ParentsOfInstagram #TeachersOfInstagram #LASTEM #STEM
📚Quotes from the Classroom 📚

Earlier this year, LA STEM partnered with @girlsinfocus.la and 16 LA STEM organizations to bring science, technology, engineering and math to 46 LAUSD middle and elementary schools.

Afterwards, we asked the afterschool educators to share an “a-HA” moment that their students had during their programs. Here’s what Dunya of Girls IN Focus shared:

🎥 “A student completed the group animation project and had time to do her own "original" 20 page sequence with her favorite character. We recorded her flip book animation on her phone and she was able to add some sound and music and share her "film" with friends. I think this brought home the concept that animated films are ideas from your head shared through technology for any audience.” 🎥

#STEM #LASTEM #ExpandedLearning #StudentLearning #Education #STEMEducation #HandsOnLearning #film #studentfilm #technology #flipbook #art #arteducation