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STEMposium 2025

Thursday, October 30 from 8:30am to 3:30pm

STEM Equity Week 2025 Logo.png

​​​PSEC's signature event - the STEMposium - is the annual cornerstone event of Philadelphia STEM Equity Week, uniting leaders, educators, and innovators from across the STEM ecosystem. This year’s theme, "Building Sustainable Transformative Economic Mobility Pathways", will explore innovative strategies to broaden participation in STEM through local collaboration and shared goals.

 

Join us as we celebrate accomplishments, connect with peers, and strategize for future impact. Together, we aim to increase access to STEM careers and create accessible pathways for economic mobility for Philadelphians, leveraging the power of regional data. We look forward to seeing you for a day of celebration, networking, and idea generation.​

Stay tuned for additional event details and updates as we approach the big day!

Crystal Cubbage

Keynote Speaker

We are thrilled to have Crystal Cubbage, EdM as the STEMposium’s Keynote Speaker.  â€‹Crystal is a Philadelphia native and Lincoln University Physics graduate who began her career as an Electronics Engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center before joining the Peace Corps in Cameroon (1992) as an education volunteer. Passionate about education, she transitioned to teaching physics and chemistry in Philadelphia schools (1996-2006), including Girard College, Shipley, and Germantown Friends. Simultaneously, she helped launch The Forerunners' International Institute's Journey to Freedom program, providing international exchanges for over 50 students to Africa and Italy.

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After earning a Master’s in School Leadership from Harvard (2007), Crystal conducted research at Jobs for the Future, founded Teachable Moments International, and opened innovative public schools with Drexel University and the Philadelphia School District. Recently, she served as the founding Executive Director of The Philadelphia Learning Collaborative before launching her consulting firm in July. She also volunteers on the boards of the EduColor and the School District of Philadelphia.

Agenda*

*Please note that this agenda may be subject change.

  • 8:30 to 9:00am - Registration and light breakfast
     

  • 9:05am to 9:15am - Welcome - Betsy Payne, STEM Ecosystems & Professional Networks, 

                                                               Philadelphia Education Fund

 

  • 9:15am to 10:00am -  PSEC Story, Success Narrative & Outlook – Building the Collective of Tomorrow
     

  • 10:05am to 10:40am  - Keynote Speaker - Crystal Cubbage, Owner, Cubbage Consulting Group
       

  • 10:40am to 11:00am  - Networking Break
       

  • 11:00am to 12:00pm - Panel Discussion - "Building Sustainable Transformative Economic Mobility Pathways" 

This session aims to foster a constructive dialogue among stakeholders to identify strengths, envision solutions, and ignite new ideas for potential strategies to address economic mobility, through workforce development in Philadelphia.

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  • Facilitator: Phil Brooks - Vice-President, Programming and Innovation,  Graduate Philadelphia 

  • Nick Imparato - Program Director, Launchpad

  • Jannette Diaz – CEO, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

  • Adrian (AJ) Adams - Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Skills Initiative

  • Rebecca Grant - Senior Director, Life Sciences & Innovation, Philadelphia Department of Commerce

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  • 12:15pm 1:00pm - Lunch
       

  • 1:00pm to 1:30pm  - STEMM Opportunity Alliance National Strategy - Stephanie Rodriguez, inaugural                                                           Director of the STEMM Opportunity Alliance at the American Association for the                                                           Advancement of Science (AAAS)
       

  • 1:30 to 3:15pm - Data Workshop - Strategic Planning for STEM pathways (Data Gallery)

This interactive data gallery is designed to empower participants with insights from regional and national STEM data on educational attainment and workforce trends. Through collaborative visioning exercises, we’ll explore equity-centered strategies to broaden participation in STEM careers. This session will foster dynamic discussions aimed at identifying actionable interventions that drive inclusive change and strengthen the STEM talent pipeline.

 

  • Facilitator: Katie Martin, Project Director of the Philadelphia research and policy initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts

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  • 3:15pm to 3:30pm - Thank you, survey and good-bye

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