Educators discuss different trends in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the recent end-of-summer celebration for LA STEM Collective at The Beehive in South Los Angeles. The collective has helped encourage STEM education for five years.
Photo by Karim Saafir
Wave Staff Report
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — On a recent warm summer afternoon, the LA STEM Collective showed off its brightest colors. The gathering of science, technology, engineering, and math organizations served as a reunion and launchpad for budding partnerships and collaborations.
STEM educators, professionals and youth leaders celebrated five years of innovation, collaboration and service to the students of Los Angeles at The Beehive in South Los Angeles. The celebration highlighted LA STEM’s milestones, with recognition from members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the state Assembly and the county and city of Los Angeles.
“As students return to school across Los Angeles County, we need to remember that there are still children that do not have access to quality STEM education or opportunities,” said Jamecca Marshall, executive director of LA STEM Collective. “The LA STEM Collective is a powerhouse of organizations and individuals committed to filling in the gap by supporting students and teachers and access to science, technology, engineering, and math education and career opportunities.”
Among the speakers were Los Angeles school board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin, Jessica Sawko, statewide director of the California STEM Network, and Steve Baule of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability.
All emphasized the life-changing power of STEM education.
The event brought LA STEM resources for students and families front and center, showcasing LA STEM Collective’s after-school programming, its response to the January wildfires, and the collective’s key role with Stitch, a new online platform for families to discover after-school programs.
Exhibits included a self-solving Rubik’s Cube robot, a digital microscope, and a do-it-yourself cardboard pinhole camera — sparking curiosity across all ages.
“The LA STEM Collective was created five years ago to help solve that problem and increase access to STEM for all,” Marshall said. “There is still a lot of work to do, and LA STEM is all systems go to continue expanding STEM learning opportunities throughout L.A. County.”
Student speakers, included Aammarah Gage, a mechanical engineering student at UCLA: and Katelyn Liu, a high school student and founder of WOW! That’s STEM, shared personal stories of how STEM has inspired them.
“I loved getting to connect with so many organizations, professionals, and educators, and it was such a joy to introduce LaunchBot to the community,” said Sarah Siegel, a high school student and founder of
LaunchBot. “I feel so lucky to be part of the LA STEM Collective.”
Now numbering more than 100 member organizations, the LA STEM Collective works as an ecosystem for STEM across Los Angeles, connecting educators, community-based organizations, universities, museums, industry partners and more. Together, LA STEM Members collaborate, create and implement innovative learning opportunities to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
“In a time when our education opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce, LA STEM Collective is proving that we can still uplift and inspire the oncoming generations,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez. “STEM education is not a luxury — it is a necessity. It equips our students with the tools, skills, and stimulates confidence to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
