STEM Saturday Ignites Curiosity and Fun with Special Guest U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.

160 students and 37 volunteers registered for "The Power of Chemistry," presented by STEM Baton Rouge - with 68% of K-12 students qualifying for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program.

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, STEM Baton Rouge hosted an extraordinary STEM Saturday at the Louisiana Key Academy Baton Rouge Campus, titled "The Power of Chemistry." This free, hands-on experience, powered by STEM Global Action , brought together students in grades K-12 for an exciting morning of chemistry exploration, experiments, and interactive activities. What made this STEM Saturday even more special was the presence of U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy , M.D., and his wife, Dr. Laura Cassidy, who not only attended but also actively engaged with participants, offering support and inspiration for the next generation of scientists and innovators.

"These children learning science today are our secret weapon," said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., during an interview at STEM Saturday. Senator Cassidy emphasized the importance of STEM education in the United States' global competition in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "They are the ones who will help us maintain our lead, our leadership, and our prosperity."

STEM Baton Rouge is proud to offer such impactful educational opportunities, and this STEM Saturday was no exception. A total of 160 K-12th graders engaged in the STEM Saturday, including 134 preregistered students and 26 who registered on-site. The day’s activities were designed to ignite curiosity and spark a passion for science. The highlight of the day was the opportunity for students to build and test their very own chemical battery clocks—an engaging way to demonstrate the real-world applications of chemistry. As students mixed chemicals, observed reactions, and powered their creations, they deepened their understanding of the fascinating world of science.

"These children learning science today are our secret weapon," said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., during an interview at STEM Saturday. Senator Cassidy emphasized the importance of STEM education in the United States' global competition in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "They are the ones who will help us maintain our lead, our leadership, and our prosperity."

STEM Saturday saw broad participation across grade levels, with 59 students from grades K-2, 58 from grades 3-5, 30 from grades 6-8, and 13 from grades 9-12. Of the 160 students who registered, 68% (or 108 students) qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, reflecting the STEM Saturday's strong outreach to underserved communities.

In addition to the hands-on activities, students learned the science behind chemical reactions and were encouraged to explore chemistry through fun, interactive experiments. STEM Saturday was designed not only to educate but also to inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and creators. The interactive nature of STEM Saturday ensured that every student, regardless of their background or experience level, felt connected to the world of STEM.

"When you change a young person's life, it makes it better for us all," said Senator Cassidy, speaking of the ripple effect of STEM education, illustration how inspiring and empowering young people to pursue STEM careers not only benefits them personally but also has a broader positive impact on society and the economy.

The presence of Senator Bill Cassidy and Dr. Laura Cassidy added an extra layer of significance to the day. Senator Cassidy, a physician and long-time advocate for STEM education in Louisiana and the throughout the country, took the opportunity to speak to the attendees, providing an inspirational opening address. His words emphasized the importance of STEM education and its potential to transform communities, ignite curiosity, and prepare students for the future. Senator Cassidy has been a steadfast supporter of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action , and his efforts have played a pivotal role in expanding STEM programs across the state.

"When you change a young person's life, it makes it better for us all," said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.

Reflecting on Senator Cassidy's years of support for STEM NOLA, Dr. Calvin Mackie , founder and CEO of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action , shared his gratitude for the senator’s dedication. "Six years ago, Senator Cassidy and I had a conversation about the impact of STEM NOLA," Dr. Mackie recalled. "He stated, 'You are attacking the problem at its root cause!' Senator Cassidy recently awarded us Congressional Community Project Funding to expand our model across the state of Louisiana, helping to create STEM Louisiana."

"Six years ago, Senator Cassidy and I had a conversation about the impact of STEM NOLA," Dr. Mackie recalled. "He stated, 'You are attacking the problem at its root cause!' Senator Cassidy recently awarded us Congressional Community Project Funding to expand our model across the state of Louisiana, helping to create STEM Louisiana."

Dr. Laura Cassidy, a dedicated advocate for educational equity, co-founded the Louisiana Key Academy in 2013 in response to the lack of instructional resources for dyslexic students in Louisiana. Her work with the academy aligns perfectly with the mission of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action, both organizations striving to provide opportunities for all students, regardless of their background.

Dr. Calvin Mackie: A Visionary Leader Transforming STEM Education

Dr. Calvin Mackie is not just transforming the future of STEM education—he has ignited a nationwide movement that is exposing, engaging, and inspiring the next generation of innovators, creators, makers, and entrepreneurs. As the CEO and co-founder of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action (along with his wife, Tracy Mackie ), Dr. Mackie has built a dynamic, community-based platform that brings hands-on STEM experiences to children across the country, with a special focus on underserved communities.

Dr. Mackie’s vision is clear: make STEM an accessible, exciting, and natural part of every child's development, starting at age four or five. Through engaging programs and cutting-edge experiences, STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action are working to build a workforce ready to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and drive economic growth.

A driving force behind his mission is creating a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce that mirrors the rich diversity of the world we live in. "I want one million kids engaged in STEM activities every Saturday," Dr. Mackie often states, emphasizing the importance of consistent exposure to STEM for young learners. His dedication to this cause has already impacted over 160,000 students, and STEM Global Action’s reach now extends nationwide. For example, the STEM Fest recently hosted by the Georgia Institute of Technology and executed by STEM Global Action engaged over 2,100 kids from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and all areas of Atlanta.

"I want one million kids engaged in STEM activities every Saturday," Dr. Mackie often states, emphasizing the importance of consistent exposure to STEM for young learners.

From New Orleans to cities across the U.S. and beyond, Dr. Mackie’s programs are providing critical pathways for underrepresented groups in STEM fields, breaking down barriers and fostering a new generation of problem-solvers. His work is not just about teaching science, technology, engineering and math—it's about ensuring that every student, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the resources, support, and opportunities to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions About STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action

To understand more about the transformative work STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action are doing, here are a few key FAQs:

What is the mission of STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action? Our mission is to expose, engage, and inspire future innovators, creators, makers, and entrepreneurs in grades K-12 through STEM-based activities and opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

How does STEM Global Action extend the impact of STEM NOLA? Building on our success in New Orleans, STEM Global Action takes our mission nationwide, focusing on enhancing STEM education in historically under-resourced communities to ensure all children have access to these crucial learning opportunities.

What makes your learning experiences unique? Our programs provide state-of-the-art, hands-on STEM experiences. This interactive approach allows students to develop skills, gain confidence, and explore potential STEM careers in ways that traditional education and classrooms may not facilitate.

How does STEM NOLA address diversity within STEM fields? We are committed to closing the diversity gaps in STEM by creating pathways for underrepresented groups, enhancing innovation, and ensuring all voices are included in the STEM workforce.

A Day of Exploration and Inspiration

Throughout the morning, the energy was palpable as students eagerly participated in activities, testing their chemical battery clocks and experimenting with new ideas. The sense of excitement in the air was contagious, with students, parents, and volunteers all sharing in the joy of discovery.

STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action 's mission is to expose, engage, and inspire the next generation of innovators, creators, makers and entrepreneurs through STEM-based activities and to opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Founded in 2013, the organization is committed to providing hands-on STEM education that sparks curiosity and builds the skills students need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. STEM Saturdays like "The Power of Chemistry" are integral to this mission, offering students the chance to explore STEM in an accessible and exciting way.

"Thank you, Senator Bill Cassidy, for bringing STEM to all corners of Louisiana. Together, we can change a generation and bring prosperity to all in our state!" Dr. Mackie wrote in a message following the STEM Saturday. With continued support from leaders like Senator Cassidy, STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action is poised to inspire even more students across Louisiana.

"Thank you, Senator Bill Cassidy, for bringing STEM to all corners of Louisiana. Together, we can change a generation and bring prosperity to all in our state!" Dr. Mackie wrote in a message following the STEM Saturday.

Special thanks to our 37 volunteers...

...without your help STEM Saturday would not be possible.

Stay tuned for more updates and future STEM programming from STEM Baton Rouge and other communities. To keep up with upcoming STEM Saturdays and opportunities, visit www.stemglobalaction.com and sign up for the newsletter. Together, we can inspire a new generation of innovators, creators, and problem-solvers.

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