STEM NOLA celebrates historic 1st Jefferson Parish STEM Fest within days of receiving Presidential Award for Mentorship Excellence

Third B2I STEM Fest engaged 600+ K-12th grade students, parents and volunteers with 60+ hands-on activities at Bonnabel High School.

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, STEM NOLA executed its first-ever STEM Fest in Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish at Bonnabel High School, marking a major milestone for the organization and the Jefferson Parish community. As part of the Bridge 2 Innovation (B2I) series, the event featured over 60 hands-on activities designed to expose, engage and inspire K-12 students in the exciting fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). This groundbreaking event not only showcased STEM NOLA’s commitment to education but also followed a monumental achievement for the organization: just days before the STEM Fest, STEM NOLA was honored with the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Mentoring (PAESMEM) from President Joe Biden.

The PAESMEM, awarded to STEM NOLA for its exceptional mentorship efforts, particularly with historically underrepresented groups, underscores the organization’s lasting impact on STEM education. Dr. Calvin Mackie , STEM NOLA’s co-founder and CEO, shared his pride in receiving this honor, stating, "This recognition affirms the power of mentoring to unlock the potential of students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. It is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers, mentors, and supporters, whose belief in our mission helps make STEM education accessible to every student."

"This recognition affirms the power of mentoring to unlock the potential of students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. It is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers, mentors, and supporters, whose belief in our mission helps make STEM education accessible to every student," said Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder & CEO, STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action, referring to the Presidential Award of Excellence For STEM Mentoring.

A Day of Engagement and Discovery

The B2I STEM Fest engaged 540 K-12th grade students with 60+ interactive STEM activities aimed at igniting curiosity and fostering creativity. Notable highlights included STEM NOLA’s new and highly anticipated StarLab? experience, along with hands-on activities in robotics, chemistry, engineering, and more. Students participated in hands-on activities designed to expose, engage and inspire them in learning through play and exploration, sparking their interest in STEM careers.

Over 70% of the participants came from families qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, demonstrating STEM NOLA’s commitment to providing access to STEM education for students from under-resourced communities. The event featured a diverse representation, including 297 boys and 245 girls, with strong participation from younger grades (K-2nd: 220, 3rd-5th: 178) and middle school students (6th-8th: 91).

In addition to the students, 62 college student volunteers and 22 professional mentors contributed a total of 252 mentor hours. These mentors, from fields such as engineering, technology, and healthcare, guided participants through hands-on activities, further enriching the experience and emphasizing the importance of mentorship in inspiring future STEM professionals.

STEM NOLA’s Impact and Vision for the Future

STEM NOLA has been at the forefront of breaking down barriers in STEM education since its founding in 2013. What began as a small initiative by Dr. Calvin Mackie , sparked by his sons' disinterest in science, has now grown into a national movement under STEM Global Action (SGA). Dr. Mackie’s vision was simple: to provide underrepresented students with hands-on, engaging STEM experiences that would foster a love of learning and open doors to high-wage, high-growth careers. This vision has led to over 200,000 students being exposed to STEM opportunities since its inception.

In 2024 alone, STEM Global Action engaged over 40,000 participants across 14 U.S. states through STEM Fests, STEM Saturdays, Tech Camps, and more. Through these programs, STEM NOLA and SGA have worked with more than 3,000 college student volunteers and 5,500 community and professional mentors, expanding the organization’s reach and impact.

As the organization continues to grow, it remains focused on its mission to provide all students—regardless of their background—with access to transformative STEM experiences. Dr. Mackie emphasized, “The Presidential Award, and the success of events like our recent B2I STEM Fest, reflect our belief that every child, no matter their race or socioeconomic status, deserves the opportunity to succeed in STEM. We are committed to breaking down the barriers to entry and ensuring that future innovators, creators, and leaders come from every community.”

“The Presidential Award, and the success of events like our recent B2I STEM Fests, reflect our belief that every child, no matter their race or socioeconomic status, deserves the opportunity to succeed in STEM," said Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder & CEO, STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action. "We are committed to breaking down the barriers to entry and ensuring that future innovators, creators, and leaders come from every community.”

A Bright Future Ahead

The success of the January 18th B2I STEM Fest, coupled with the recognition from President Biden, highlights the growing momentum behind STEM NOLA’s mission. The event was made possible by the generous support of partners and sponsors, including the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee , 陶氏化学 , 雪佛龙 , Ochsner Health , the Scratch Foundation , Venture Global LNG , and Entergy , who share in the vision of fostering innovation and workforce development in the region. Others, like Cox Communications , engaged participants with sponsored stations like Cox’ “Smart Homes.”

As STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action looks ahead, the organization remains focused on expanding its impact and continuing to offer high-quality STEM experiences to students nationwide. Dr. Mackie’s vision for the future is bold: he aims to engage one million students every Saturday through STEM activities, ensuring that STEM education becomes an integral part of every child’s development.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mentorship in shaping the next generation of STEM professionals. STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action is not only building a future workforce but also empowering students to dream big and believe in their ability to create, innovate, and lead.

Get ready for the next B2I STEM Fest on February 1st!

Looking ahead, the excitement continues with the next Bridge 2 Innovation (B2I) STEM Fest, set to take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Joe Brown Park in New Orleans. This FREE event is open to all K-12 students, offering an incredible opportunity to dive into over 60 hands-on STEM activities, all led by the award-winning STEM NOLA team and supported by dedicated college student and professional volunteers. Whether it’s robotics, engineering, chemistry, or more, there’s something for every curious mind to explore.

The first 100 students to arrive will receive a special FREE gift, making this an event you won’t want to miss. Presented by the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee and sponsored by Chevron, Ochsner Health, Dow, Entergy, the Scratch Foundation, and Venture Global, the upcoming B2I STEM Fest promises to be an unforgettable experience for students and families alike. Register today at registration.stemnola.com to secure your spot and be part of the movement to inspire the next generation of innovators, creators, and problem-solvers!

For more information about STEM NOLA’s programs and to get involved, visit stemnola.com.

More live-action photos from the B2I STEM Fest on January 18th...