10/19~23 麻州STEM週 州政府將撥款46.5萬元資助 7 非牟利機構培育學生

    （Boston Orange編譯）麻州奚莉政府（Healey-Driscoll Administration）10月19日在波士頓科學博物館（Museum of Science）啟動2026年「麻州STEM週」（Massachusetts STEM Week），發放約46.5萬美元補助 7 個非營利組織，將為1萬多名幼兒園至高中的學生參與手作設計挑戰，提早接軌未來高薪與高科技產業。

    「麻州STEM週」今年訂10月19日至23日舉行，主題為「STEM從現在開始」（STEM Starts Now）。麻州副州長Kim Driscoll在開幕式中致詞，並和學齡前幼童一同用不同素材製作響板，展現如何透過遊戲培養工程思考與解決問題的能力。

    麻州各個學校、大專院校、企業與社區組織，將在這一週內串聯舉辦先進製造、機器人、航空航天、清潔能源及環境工程等關鍵領域的多元體驗活動。

    麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）強調，「麻州STEM週」旨在幫助學童探索潛能，並為在地企業培養未來人才。麻州教育廳長史蒂夫·茲里克（Steve Zrike）也指出，STEM教育適合所有懷抱好奇心的孩子。

    麻州政府團隊隨後走訪幼兒機構並頒發培訓與實習網絡（TRAIN）補助金，結合近年擴大推動的創新職業通道與技能資本補助，展現從早期教育、高等教育到職場培訓全方位鏈結人才與產業需求的決心。

Executive Summary

• Event & Theme: The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the 2026 Massachusetts STEM Week (Oct 19–23) at the Museum of Science in Boston under the theme "STEM Starts Now."

• Funding & Impact: Awarded nearly $465,000 in grants to seven nonprofits to engage 10,000+ PK–12 students in hands-on STEM challenges.

• Key Focus: Connects early learners and students to high-demand fields like robotics, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace.

• Strategy: Combines early childhood engagement, higher education initiatives (TRAIN grants), and workforce training to build a skilled local talent pipeline.

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