Milena Acosta
Hello
Milena Acosta
Chair, Advisory Board
About Me
Milena Acosta is a marine biologist, science communicator, and the Associate Director of Community Engagement for the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. With over 25 years of experience in out-of-school time education, Milena’s work focuses on driving transformational change in museums, shifting the institutional model from transactional outreach to one of shared authority defined by the framework: Engage, Listen, Co-Create.

In her role, Milena operationalizes the Museum’s goal to be an institution "of, for, and with L.A." by building civic infrastructure that positions the Museum as a "necessary" partner to the community. She works to embed the ethos of outdoor equity into the Museum's DNA, championing programs that remove barriers to nature for underserved communities and create sustainable, representative career pathways in science.

A central tenet of her leadership is ensuring authentic representation across all facets of the Museum. Milena cultivates and manages a dynamic network of over 48 community-based organizations that reflect the rich diversity of Angelenos. These partnerships range in depth from collaborative public programming to strategic co-creation, collectively engaging more than 800,000 people annually and ensuring that the many communities who call L.A. home see themselves reflected in the institution.

Milena holds a B.S. in Biology from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s in Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University. She serves as Board Chair for the LA STEM Collective, is a Board Member for the California Association of Museums, and Chairs the Local Arrangements Committee for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
"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
📚Quotes from the Classroom 📚

Expanded learning and afterschool programming offer awesome opportunities for students to explore their interests, learn in a new way, 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:

🦖 “In my most recent class, a 1st grader had an 'a-ha' moment when he learned that birds are actually modern day dinosaurs. He was blown away by this fact!” 🦖

#STEM #LASTEM #ExpandedLearning #StudentLearning #Education #STEMEducation #HandsOnLearning #ExpandedLearning #ELOP #AfterschoolSTEM