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Philadelphia STEM Equity Week 2024

Get ready to join us for an exciting week dedicated to advancing inclusivity and opportunity in

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)! 

PSEC's 2nd annual Philadelphia STEM Equity Week will be celebrated from

October 26th to November 2nd with a variety of activities for all ages.  

From bird walks to mystery science to our STEMposium there is something for everyone.  

PSEC's signature event - the "STEMposium: To Inclusion and Beyond"- is an opportunity to

bring together collaborators in STEM education and industry and members of the of the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective and the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem

on October 30 from 12:30 – 5:30pm at the University City Science Center. 

Let's celebrate together and highlight the dynamic STEM programs that Philadelphia has to offer!

Thank you to our
STEM Equity Week Event Hosts

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Click the name of the activity below for a full description, directions, and registration.

Saturday, October 26

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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

 

Tuesday, October 29

Wednesday, October 30

Thursday, October 31

Friday, November 1
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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!

  • Fall Adopt-a-Tree -  9:30am-12:00pm - Join us with your family to adopt and plant trees at Riverbend.

  • 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.

  • ​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.

Fall Bird Walk

October 26
9:00 - 11:30am

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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:​

  • Adult Bird Walk: 9:00am - 10:30am

  • Family Bird Walk: 10:30am - 11:30am

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families​

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Outdoor Learning

  • Science

EVENT ADDRESS:

Riverbend Environmental

Education Center

1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035

PRISE Annual STEM Educator Conference

October 26
9:00am-3:30pm

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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:

  • Teachers/Educators

  • College and High School Students

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Professional Development

  • Youth Voice

  • STEM Pathways

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

Saint Joseph's University

University City Campus

McNeil Science and Technology

Center

4308 Woodland Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Stories of Science:
Mystery Science

October 26
10:00am - 5:00pm

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. At 10:30am, author Thembi Palmer will treat us to a special mystery science themed storytime! 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.
 

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Science

EVENT ADDRESS:

The Science History Institute

315 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

STEM Equity and Access Week

October 28 thru November 1
10:00am-1:00pm

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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:

  • Coding with Circuit Playground Express 

  • Product Design w/ 3D Printing

  • 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.

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Teachers/Educators and their High School Students

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Maker Space

  • Technology

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

Community College of Philadelphia Career and Advanced Technology Center

4750 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19139

Math Night @ Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy

October 28
4:00 - 6:00pm

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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).

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Math

  • Science

EVENT ADDRESS:

Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy

2000 Catharine St

Philadelphia, PA 19146

Drexel CCI Fall Career Networking Event

October 28
4:00pm - 7:00pm

DESCRIPTION

This is a unique opportunity to meet with and hire CCI students enrolled in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, AI/ML, Computer Security, HCI/UX and more.  The event is open to all current undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the College of Computing & Informatics. This free event is presented by CCI’s Corporate Partners Program.

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • STEM Employers

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Professional Development

  • Technology

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

Quorum

3675 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Black Girls Thriving:
Mindset > Content

October 29
4:00-5:30pm

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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.

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Teachers/Educators

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Professional Development

  • Youth Voice

EVENT ADDRESS:

Belmont Charter High School

1301 Belmont Ave #675

Philadelphia, PA 19104

AI Skills Night: ChatGPT at Launchpad

October 29
4:30-7:00pm

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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.
 

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families

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PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Professional Development

  • Science

  • Technology

  • Youth Voice

  • STEM Pathways

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

Launchpad Campus Center City

801 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107

STEMposium:    To Inclusion and Beyond

October 30
12:30-5:30pm

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 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.

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Aspiring and established STEM professionals

  • STEM Employers

  • Teachers/Educators

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Science

  • STEM Careers

  • STEM Pathways

EVENT ADDRESS:

Science Center Quorum

3675 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

DEIB Best Practices Forum

October 30
1:00-4:00pm

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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!

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • STEM Employers

  • Human Resources Representatives

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • STEM Careers

  • STEM Pathways

EVENT ADDRESS:

Science Center Quorum

3675 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Family First Friday STEM Fair

November 1
5:00 - 6:30pm

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???

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Arts

  • Science

  • Technology

EVENT ADDRESS:

Providence Center

2557 N. 5th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19133

First Friday:
Start Talking Science

November 1
5:00 - 8:00pm

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!

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Teachers/Educators

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Science

EVENT ADDRESS:

The Science History Institute

315 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

STEM Talks
on Tap

November 1
6:00-9:00pm

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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.

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Aspiring and established STEM professionals

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Professional Development

  • Science

  • STEM Pathways

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

Indy Hall

709 N. 2nd Street, 3rd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19123

eCLOSE: Supporting Science Teachers to FLY

November 2
9:00am-12:00pm

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. 

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Teachers/Educators

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Professional Development

  • Science

  • Youth Voice

  • STEM Pathways

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

eCLOSE Institute @ Wyncote Commons: Building C- Suite 100

827 Glenside Avenue
Wyncote, PA 19095

Fall Adopt-a-Tree Planting Event

November 2
9:30 - 12:00pm

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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.

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families​

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Outdoor Learning

EVENT ADDRESS:

Riverbend Environmental

Education Center

1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035

Junior Solar
Sprint Teacher Training

November 2
9:30am - 1:00pm

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. 

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Teachers/Educators

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Outdoor Learning

  • Professional Development

  • Science

  • Technology

  • STEM Careers

EVENT ADDRESS:

Belmont Charter High School

1301 Belmont Ave #675

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Bounce, Bend, or Break: The Science of Flexibility

November 2
12:00 - 4:00pm

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.”

EVENT DESIGNED FOR:

  • Youth and Families

PRIMARY THEME(S):

  • Science

  • STEM Pathways

  • History

EVENT ADDRESS:

The Wagner Free Institute of Science of Philadelphia

1700 W. Montgomery Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19121

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HOST an Event

You can still join us by hosting an event! Are you a community-based or  STEM-focused organization interested in hosting an event during Philadelphia STEM Equity Week?

Register HERE by October 18th, 2024.

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SOCIAL Media

Follow us on Instagram @PhillySTEMCo and on LinkedIn @philadelphia-stem-equity-collective or search hashtags #STEMEquityWeek #STEMposium #STEMEquity #DiversityInSTEM #YeahthatsSTEM! #PSEC.

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CONTACT Us

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact 

Betsy Payne, PSEC's Member Relations Manager and Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem Manager.

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