STEM Starts Now: Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off 2026 Massachusetts STEM Week
Statewide events and nearly $465,000 in grants highlight administration’s efforts to expand hands-on learning and prepare students for future careers
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration kicked off 2026 Massachusetts STEM Week at the Museum of Science in Boston, where Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll joined preschool students, educators and STEM leaders for hands-on engineering activities and interactive science experiences. The weeklong celebration highlights the administration’s work to expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers, inspire students of all ages and connect them with future career opportunities in Massachusetts.
Taking place October 19–23, STEM Week brings together schools, colleges, businesses, museums and community organizations across Massachusetts to give students opportunities to explore STEM fields, develop new skills and learn about careers in some of the state's fastest-growing industries. This year's theme, "STEM Starts Now," emphasizes that STEM learning can begin at any age and helps prepare students for success in school and beyond.
“Massachusetts is home to some of the brightest minds, best schools and most innovative companies in the world, and we want every student growing up here to know they can be part of that future,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That starts with giving kids the chance to explore, ask questions and discover what they're capable of. Our administration is investing in hands-on STEM learning to open doors to great careers for students and connect employers with talented young people ready to succeed in today’s economy.”
“Massachusetts has always been a place where big ideas become breakthroughs, and that spirit of innovation starts in our classrooms and communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “There's no better way to kick off STEM Week than by seeing our youngest learners put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work at the Museum of Science. We're celebrating the educators and partners who make these experiences possible and help students turn their curiosity into discovery, their ideas into opportunities and their dreams into reality.”
As part of this year's STEM Week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded nearly $465,000 to seven nonprofit organizations to engage more than 10,000 preschool-through-grade-12 students in hands-on STEM Design Challenges. The activities give students opportunities to solve real-world problems, explore college and career pathways, and connect with professionals in fields including advanced manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, clean energy and environmental engineering. The Museum of Science is among this year's grant recipients and continues to offer STEM Design Challenges supported by previous years' awards.
“STEM isn't just for students who dream of becoming scientists or engineers. It's for every student who has ever asked a question, tried something new or wondered how the world works,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “As educators, our job is to nurture that natural curiosity and give students opportunities to explore, experiment and solve problems. STEM Week celebrates the incredible educators and partners who make those experiences possible across Massachusetts, reminding us that STEM Starts Now — with every question asked, every idea explored and every new discovery.”
At today’s kickoff, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll was joined by Education Secretary Zrike, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education José Luis Santos, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, and Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie.
Lieutenant Governor Driscoll read the STEM Week proclamation and joined preschool students in the museum's Engineering Design Workshop, where they designed, built and tested their own noisemakers using different materials. The activity demonstrated how even the youngest learners can begin developing engineering and problem-solving skills through play and experimentation. Attendees also explored the museum's new William and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Science Common, featuring immersive technology and interactive STEM experiences.
“STEM learning starts early — young children are naturally curious about the world around them and eager to explore,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “Through play and hands-on learning, our youngest learners are already building foundational STEM skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. STEM Week is also an opportunity to celebrate the educators who nurture that curiosity every day and help young children build a strong foundation for learning and future success.”
“STEM Week includes activities and celebrations for learners of all ages,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. "Introducing students of all ages to these fascinating, critical areas of work and innovation is an important part of preparing students for success after graduation.”
“Massachusetts is committed to helping more students get to and through college and into rewarding careers in high-demand fields,” said Interim Commissioner of Higher Education José Luis Santos. “From introducing high school students to STEM pathways through Early College, to piloting innovative opportunities like co-ops at our public colleges and universities, we are expanding the ways students can gain the education and real-world experience they need to succeed while also building the skilled workforce that will drive the Commonwealth’s future.”
"We were honored to host this year’s STEM Week kickoff in our new William and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Science Common, and we’re grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council for expanding access to STEM education statewide,” said Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie. “‘STEM Starts Now’ captures something we see here every day: children are natural scientists, and the curiosity they bring to a simple engineering challenge is the same sense of wonder that drives discovery. Our job, together, is to make sure every learner in Massachusetts has that spark and the chance to follow it wherever it leads, because a public that understands and trusts science is essential to our shared future.”
"STEM week is a great way to inspire students to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics", said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "This week's events highlight the incredible opportunities and resources Massachusetts has to offer for students of all ages."
The administration is also marking the first day of STEM Week with events highlighting opportunities from early childhood through higher education and workforce development. Following the kickoff, Secretary Zrike and Commissioner Kershaw will visit Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury to observe STEM programming in an early education classroom.
Later in the day, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Zrike and Interim Commissioner Santos will join MassBay Community College President David Podell in Framingham to announce Training Resources and Internship Network (TRAIN) grants, supporting the administration’s efforts to strengthen connections between education, workforce training and career opportunities.
Massachusetts STEM Week is a statewide celebration organized by the Executive Office of Education (EOE) and the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state's nine Regional STEM Networks. These efforts build on Governor Healey’s investments to expand STEM education and connect students with careers in high-demand industries. Since taking office, the administration has expanded Innovation Career Pathways, including approving 41 new programs this year that connect high school students with hands-on learning in fields like clean energy, life sciences and information technology. The administration has also invested millions in Skills Capital Grants to modernize classrooms, labs and training equipment, including more than $13.5 million awarded last year to support hands-on learning in advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy and other growing industries. These investments are helping more Massachusetts students gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in STEM careers.
Learn more about Massachusetts STEM Week at Mass.gov/STEMWeek
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