STEM NOLA helped launch the very first Bridge 2 Innovation (B2I) STEM Fest on December 7, 2024, at East St. John High School in Laplace, Louisiana. This fun and exciting event, in partnership with the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, the Scratch Foundation, and powered by Marathon Petroleum Corporation, invited K-12 students to explore hands-on STEM activities.

Impact of the first B2I STEM Fest

More than 280 students from kindergarten through 12th grade registered for the first-ever B2I STEM Fest. Of these students, 79% qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. The event featured over 60 interactive activities, including robotics, coding, and environmental science. Students were thrilled to discover how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is used in the real world and learn about exciting careers in these fields. A total of 162 boys and 119 girls from 116 different schools participated!

Video highlights of the B2I STEM Fest in Laplace, Louisiana.

CLICK above to view video highlights of the first of B2I STEM Fests

Special thanks to the 29 volunteers who helped make the first B2I STEM Fest happen

The first B2I STEM Fest would not be possible without the commitment of 29 volunteers who helped engaged participants in hands-on STEM activity.

The B2I STEM Fest volunteers included 9 college students and 20 professionals committing 87 mentor hours to helping engage K-12th graders in hands-on STEM activity.

A Special Touch: Marathon Petroleum’s Generosity

Marathon Petroleum Corporation didn’t just sponsor the event and serve as volunteers—they made it even better by bringing their own gigantic BBQ pit and cooking an amazing lunch for all the attendees! Their generosity helped make the day even more memorable for everyone.

New STEM Attraction: Starlab’s Immersive Space Experience

One of the most exciting parts of the B2I STEM Fest was the introduction of Starlab, a portable learning dome that takes students on a 360-degree journey through space! This amazing experience allowed students to explore the stars and planets in a hands-on and interactive way. Starlab was one of over 60 fun and educational stations at the event, sparking students' curiosity and expanding their understanding of science and technology.

CLICK the above images to view VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

What’s Next: More B2I STEM Fests Coming Soon!

The success of the first B2I STEM Fest paves the way for three more leading up to Super Bowl LIX in 2025! These upcoming STEM Fests will give students from other communities within the Greater New Orleans Area opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM activity, meet STEM professionals, and learn about exciting careers.

Scan the QR code below, click on the graphic below, or visit this link to enroll in any of the future B2I STEM Fests: registration.stemnola.com.

STEM NOLA: Making STEM Accessible to All

STEM NOLA’s 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). This includes making STEM engagement available to every child, especially those in under-resourced communities. Through events like the B2I STEM Fests, STEM NOLA and its partners are inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.

CLICK the photo above to view video highlights of the first of B2I STEM Fests

Join the Movement: Be Part of the Future

STEM NOLA, with support from Marathon Petroleum Corporation, the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, and the Scratch Foundation, is helping create a brighter future for New Orleans Area students. Don’t miss out on the next B2I STEM Fest! You’ll have the chance to explore cool STEM careers, engage in fun activities, and discover your passion for innovation.

Let’s work together to build a more inclusive, creative, and innovative future for our communities. Visit STEM NOLA’s website and social media platforms to learn more and sign up for future events!

• STEM NOLA | Global Action offers hands-on activities, inquiry-based learning methodology, standards-based pre and post assessment tools and teacher resource and development packages.

• Students will have the opportunity to learn by asking questions, observing demonstrations, completing experiments, building kits and engaging in exciting group projects. 

• Our programs have been correlated to match curriculum requirements for every grade level and are rich in elementary level science content.

• STEM NOLA offers in-school, after-school, community and family-based programming. 

• The diversely themed inquiry-based hands-on programs can be used as a curriculum enhancement or as an introduction to STEM concepts.

• We offer a hassle-free and convenient way for students to experience culturally and environmentally relevant hands-on STEM!



In the past 10+ years, STEM Global Action has engaged more than

175,000+ K-12 Students

25,000 Families

3,000 College Students

5,500 Community & Professional Volunteers