Philadelphia STEM Equity Week 2024
From bird walks to mystery science to our STEMposium, there is something for everyone. Click on the Equity Week events below to get more information and to register for them. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore STEM in Philadelphia!
Click the name of the activity below for a full description, directions, and registration.
Saturday, October 26
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Fall Bird Walk - 9:00-11:30am - In collaboration with Bird Town, PA, Riverbend invites you to our Fall Bird Walk with birder and conservationist, Phil Witmer.
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PRISE Annual STEM Educator Conference - 9:00am-3:30pm - This free conference will feature a keynote speaker, student panel, educator led workshops, student networking session, student led table discussions, resource tables, and lunch!
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eCLOSE: Supporting Science Teachers to FLY - 9:00am-12:00pm - Learn how eCLOSE brings authentic research to classrooms through hands-on kits and our own LMS!
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Stories of Science: Mystery Science - 10:00am-5:00pm - Join us in our Science History Institute for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!
Monday, October 28
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STEM Equity and Access Week Field Trips at CCP - 10:00am-1:00pm - Free field trip opportunities for local schools at CCP's Fab Lab. This event will be available October 28th through November 1st.
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Math Night @ Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy - 4:00-6:00pm - Join our school's families and educators for an evening of mathematical fun and exploration in our schoolyard!
Tuesday, October 29
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STEM Equity and Access Week Field Trips at CCP - 10:00am-1:00pm - Free field trip opportunities for local schools at CCP's Fab Lab. This event will be available October 28th through November 1st.
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Pathways in STEM: College & Career Prep Open House - 3:30-6:00pm - Learn how Harrisburg University and NuPaths are providing pathways to STEM careers for Philadelphia high school students through college and career preparation programs.
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Black Girls Thriving: Mindset > Content - 4:00-5:0pm - Get ready to be inspired and empowered as we focus on cultivating a positive mindset that will help Black girls thrive in math classes.
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AI Skills Night: ChatGPT with Launchpad - 4:30-7:00pm - Tech training program Launchpad Philly is hosting a one-night, high school only event to introduce beginners to ChatGPT and equip experienced users with advanced techniques and tools.
Wednesday, October 30
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STEMposium: To Inclusion and Beyond - 12:00-5:30pm - PSEC's Signature Event! Join PSEC for a conference that brings together collaborators in STEM education and workforce development to elevate and profile STEM careers and increase awareness of opportunities for in and out of school education.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Best Practices Forum - 1:00-4:00p. - Join us as our facilitator, Jennifer Fei, of oen studios, leads a discussion with the goal of presenting a value proposition and have a transparent conversation to understand the DEIB language and commitments from STEM employers.
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STEM Equity and Access Week Field Trips at CCP - 10:00am-1:00pm - Free field trip opportunities for local schools at CCP's Fab Lab. This event will be available October 28th through November 1st.
Thursday, October 31
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STEM Equity and Access Week Field Trips at CCP - 10:00am-1:00pm - Free field trip opportunities for local schools at CCP's Fab Lab. This event will be available October 28th through November 1st.
Friday, November 1
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STEM Equity and Access Week Field Trips at CCP - 10:00am-1:00pm - Free field trip opportunities for local schools at CCP's Fab Lab. This event will be available October 28th through November 1st.
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Family First Friday STEM Fair - 5:00-6:30pm - Bring the family along to the Providence Center for a night of hands-on experiments, challenges, and lots of fun.
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First Friday: Start Talking Science - 5:00-8:00pm - Meet scientists at the Science History Institute doing cutting-edge research in physics, medicine, biochemistry, and more.
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STEM Talks on Tap - 6:00-9:00pm - Join STEM So(ul)cial at "STEM Talks on Tap" for two dynamic STEM career development panels, followed by a social networking hour.
Saturday, November 2
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Fall Adopt-a-Tree - 9:30am-12:00pm - Join us with your family to adopt and plant trees at Riverbend.
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Junior Solar Sprint Teacher Training - 9:30-1:00pm - All middle school teachers are invited to learn how to engage their students in the Junior Solar Sprint, a program through which students learn to design, build and race model solar cars.
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Bounce, Bend, or Break: The Science of Flexibility - 12:00-4:00pm - This Saturday Open House at the Wagner Free Institute of Science offers live science demonstrations, hands-on activities, and an opportunity to explore the Wagner's historic 19th century science collection.
For other STEM events outside of our STEM Equity Week please go to our
Calendar of Events.
DESCRIPTION
In collaboration with Bird Town, PA, Riverbend invites you to our Fall Bird Walk with birder and conservationist, Phil Witmer. Mr. Whitmer will lead participants on a leisurely walk around Riverbend's preserve to check out the many species of birds that call it their home.
We are offering separate start times for adults and families:
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Adult Bird Walk: 9:00am - 10:30am
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Family Bird Walk: 10:30am - 11:30am
DESCRIPTION
Join the eCLOSE Team as we introduce local science teachers to our new LMS platform! The system puts our instructors and technicians into your classroom at the click of a button! Even better? Your students will engage in authentic research geared towards their interests and community. Explore how diet impacts development in our favorite model organism: The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)!
During this professional development, our team will walk you through the steps and get you ready to launch eCLOSE@School in your classroom! This project can be aligned to life science, health sciences and advanced courses: and more! Teachers will become a part of the eCLOSE network of science educators, researchers, and scientists. Participants will receive a lab-in-a-box as a thank you for attending.
DESCRIPTION
This year's conference theme is "Inventing and Affecting the Future through STEM: Working together to create the world we want".
The free event is open to Educators, Faculty, Administrators, High school students, College students, and anyone interested in working together to invent and affect the world we want through STEM.
The conference will feature a keynote speaker, student panel, educator led workshops, student networking session, student led table discussions, resources tables, and lunch!
EVENT DESIGNED FOR:
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Teachers/Educators
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College and High School Students
PRIMARY THEME(S):
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Professional Development
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Youth Voice
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STEM Pathways
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STEM Careers
EVENT ADDRESS:
Saint Joseph's University
University City Campus
McNeil Science and Technology
Center
4308 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
DESCRIPTION
Each month we explore a different theme, and in October we’re getting spooky with some scientific mysteries! Our fun, interactive activities are designed for science lovers of all ages. Take an up-close look at interesting items in our handling collection.
Looking forward to Halloween? For a ghoulish good time, visit our activity table to help solve a forensic mystery based on Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe, stop by our Object Explorer touch table to learn about the science behind everyday items like ice cube trays and LED light bulbs or chat with our experienced Gallery Guides to find out more about the people responsible for the science embedded in our daily lives. During your visit, you can also check out our themed “drop-in” tours at 11:30am
and 2pm.
DESCRIPTION
The Jr. STEM Academy at Community College of Philadelphia will offer free field trips for local schools to our Fab Lab during STEM Equity Week.
Schools can choose from three experiences:
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Coding with Circuit Playground Express
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Product Design w/ 3D Printing
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Product Design w/ CNC Machining
Transportation costs are not included. The maximum capacity is 25 students per trip, and all trips are approximately three hours long. Limited space available. Please contact us for details, including registration information.
DESCRIPTION
Math is amazing! And what could be more fun than exploring math with friends and family? Join the families and educators from Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy for an early evening of games, puzzles, creativity, and collaboration that features all things mathematical.
The event will also be one of the first programs offered by our school's new junior chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
DESCRIPTION
Learn how Harrisburg University and NuPaths are providing pathways to STEM careers for Philadelphia high school students through college and career preparation programs. As students explore STEM careers through dual enrollment and career development they gain valuable insight into their interests that can inform their future career path as well as prepare them for college and career.
The programs also align with many school district college and career prep initiatives as well as Act 158 for meeting alternative high school graduation requirements. The positive impact goes beyond the individual and can a long-term impact on the community and the workforce. The event will feature guest speakers from government and the STEM workforce, students presentations, and demos.
DESCRIPTION
A 90 minute interactive professional development for all educators (in school, after school) grades K-12 that will provide a framework and evidence based instruction practices. Participants will learn how cultivating a safe yet rigorous community will foster academic agency and motivation for those who identify as Black girls.
DESCRIPTION
Launchpad is a 2.5 year technology training program that connects high schoolers to high paying tech careers. As part of STEM Equity Week, we are hosting an evening dedicated to exploring AI for high schoolers in Philadelphia. The event will feature two workshops, one on prompt engineering geared towards AI beginners and another on building custom GPT AI assistants for experienced users. Come early and attend both!
Launchpad will provide Chromebooks for users without a laptop, but feel free to bring your own device if you have one. Pizza and other light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required.
DESCRIPTION
Join us for our conference that brings together members of the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective, the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem, and collaborators in STEM education and industry. This event will be an opportunity to recognize the work being done by PSEC and the Ecosystem members, center the experiences of young people on STEM pathways entering the workforce, and surface new scholarship around STEM equity.
Plenary session topics include insights from the Cramp Community of Practice from PSEC’s K-12 Workgroup, reflections on STEM Pathways with students currently enrolled in STEM post-secondary programs, and a professional panel projecting the future of STEM. And we excited to announce the STEMposium's Keynote Speaker, Dr. Joeletta Patrick, who is currently serving on a two-year detail assignment to NASA Langley Research Center as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Champion.
DESCRIPTION
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Best Practices Forum will convene Human Resources and DEIB representatives from STEM employers in multiple sectors to discuss the practices they sustain or the barriers they face in their efforts to recruit, develop and retain diverse talent. By bringing the perspective of Workforce development programs and job seekers, this forum will also explore areas of existing alignment or opportunities across, employers, talent and workforce development organizations and job seekers exploring the criteria each value most.
Facilitated by Jennifer Fei, Founder and Principal of ōen studios. Space is limited - don't miss out on this great opportunity!
DESCRIPTION
Providence Center hosts Family First Fridays on the first Friday of the month as an opportunity for fun and educational family engagement.
In celebration of STEM Equity Week, we have planned an evening that will excite your inner mad scientist. Bring the whole family to make an edible 3D DNA model or balloon hovercraft - engage in a friendly family competition of who can design and build the most creative and stable tower. And what's a STEM fair without SLIME???
DESCRIPTION
Want to know what really happens in a laboratory? Want to meet scientists doing cutting-edge research in physics, medicine, biochemistry, and more? Then let’s Start Talking Science!
This First Friday, dozens of researchers from local universities will present their innovative projects and answer your questions live. Stop in our museum to explore the history of science education and try out cool, quirky, and engaging science toys and games. Indulge your inner nerd, bring your curiosity, and join us for a fun-filled evening of everything STEM!
DESCRIPTION
Get ready to mix, mingle, and learn about all STEM can offer at *STEM Talks on Tap*— join us for an engaging evening designed to fuel your career ambitions and expand your professional network in a relaxed, social setting. This unique event blends valuable career insights with a casual happy hour, making it the perfect opportunity for STEM professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike.
DESCRIPTION
Join us with your family to adopt and plant trees at Riverbend. Fall is a wonderful time to plant trees just before it turns colder in the winter months. Planting trees at the preserve helps to provide habitat to local wildlife, combat climate change and helps to maintain our local water supply as the trees we plant keep runoff from heading to the Schuylkill River watershed.
Registration is required as spaces are limited. This event is open to all ages. Please bring your own water and work gloves to the event.
DESCRIPTION
Teachers will learn how to teach students to design and build model solar cars. The training is free to all 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade teachers in public and private schools as well as after school programs.
The Training qualifies for Act 48 credits. PSEA provides all training materials and a toolbox full of tools for students to use in building their cars. PSEA will also provide breakfast and lunch free of charge.
DESCRIPTION
Flexibility is a kind of strength! A tree bends in the hurricane but does not break. A snake slithers through a branch and does not fall. A crab scuttles to safety under a rock. Learn how we can harness bendy ideas from nature.
Join the Wagner Free Institute of Science, in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University Chemistry Professor, Dr. Thomas Twardowski, for an afternoon exploring the ways flexibility occurs in nature. Investigate the Interesting Ball, learn about properties of putties, and make your own glow-in-the-dark slime to take home, all while enjoying the Wagner's natural history museum, historic building and teaching garden.”
Esperanza College Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium
November 8
8:30am - 2:00pm
DESCRIPTION
High School students will learn from speakers, including scientists, physicians, and public health professionals. They will engage with health care professionals and medical students in small discussion sessions; participate in experiments; and engage in a hands-on demonstration at our virtual dissection table to understand the structures and functions of body systems and how they affect the body!