STEM Baton Rouge: Building a brighter future for children and the community | |
“When we expose, engage, and inspire our children through STEM activities and programs, we’re not just teaching science — we’re building the foundation for the future.” — Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder & CEO, STEM Global Action
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STEM Baton Rouge: Turning Curiosity into Opportunity
In Baton Rouge, a quiet revolution is underway — one experiment, one mentor, and one inspired young mind at a time.
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STEM Baton Rouge is a local extension of STEM Global Action, a nationally recognized non-profit based in Louisiana dedicated to exposing, engaging, and inspiring the next generation of innovators, creators, and problem-solvers through hands-on STEM education.
With the support of our community and partners, our goal is to create a vibrant and sustainable STEM ecosystem where students of all backgrounds can access early and consistent opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math.
| | Since 2013, STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action has reached more than 200,000 K–12 students across 47 states — and right here in Louisiana’s Capital Region, STEM Baton Rouge is lighting the spark that will power that community’s future innovators. | | STEM Baton Rouge IMPACT data through 9/31/25 | | “Our model works because we bring STEM directly to the communities that need it most,” said Dr. Mackie. | | |
STEM Baton Rouge Impact by the Numbers
Since its launch in 2023, STEM Baton Rouge has made measurable strides in STEM access and equity:
✨ Participants: 2,696 students (1,587 boys, 1,309 girls)
🏫 Schools Represented: 805 across Greater Baton Rouge and beyond
🧑 Volunteer Mentors: 399 college students and STEM professionals
🎓 STEM Fellows: 51 high school students (86% plan to major in STEM)
📅 Events: 11 total (3 STEM Fests + 8 STEM Saturdays)
Our inaugural STEM Baton Rouge STEM Fest at Southern University on September 28, 2024, drew 717 participants and marked a defining moment for local STEM engagement.
These aren’t just numbers — they represent young minds awakened to possibility, new mentorship relationships formed, and entire families inspired to imagine a brighter future.
| | “We’re not just inspiring kids — we’re building the bench for Louisiana’s future scientists, engineers, and innovators,” said Dr. Mackie. “Through events like this, we’re preparing future leaders for careers in engineering, energy, tech, medicine, advanced manufacturing, and the chemical industry, to name a few.” | | |
STEM Fellows: Opening Doors to Economic Opportunity
86% of Baton Rouge STEM Fellows plan to pursue STEM in college. That’s how we build a stronger workforce and a stronger community.
We are deeply grateful to our key partners — the NBA Foundation, United Way, and Baptist Community Ministries (BCM) — for helping make these outcomes possible.
Despite STEM jobs representing some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying sectors of the Baton Rouge economy, students of color remain underrepresented in these fields.
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That’s why our STEM Fellows Program is so crucial. This free, year-long initiative supports Baton Rouge high school students who show an aptitude or interest in STEM, helping them develop both the skills and the confidence to pursue STEM careers.
Fellows participate in hands-on, experiential mini-courses on Saturdays — spending two to four hours tackling real-world problems in science and engineering fields. They also serve as mentors at monthly STEM Saturday events, teaching elementary students what they’ve learned and reinforcing their own mastery through service.
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As STEM Fellows advance through the program, they gain access to:
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Internships and innovation competitions
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Professional mentorship and networking opportunities
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College application support and recommendation letters
This program is building a pipeline of future scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will lead the region’s next wave of innovation and economic growth.
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STEM Education: A Pathway to Progress
At STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action, we believe that STEM education is not a privilege — it’s a pathway.
A pathway to:
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Curiosity, through interactive learning.
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Confidence, by solving real-world challenges.
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Community, through teamwork and mentorship.
| | STEM Baton Rouge IMPACT data through 9/31/25 | | |
By providing culturally relevant, community-based programming, we’re ensuring that every child — regardless of background or zip code — can see themselves as a future innovator.
Our programs don’t just spark imagination; they strengthen economic and workforce development, preparing a skilled generation ready to lead in Louisiana’s growing STEM sectors.
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Join Us for Our Next Big Event: STEM Saturday Baton Rouge on November 1st!
Calling All Young Scientists & STEM Mentors! ExxonMobil presents STEM Saturday: 'The Power of Chemistry' — a FREE, hands-on learning experience for K–12 students to explore the fascinating world of chemical reactions, including creating a chemical battery clock that demonstrates how science powers the world around us!
Hosted by STEM Baton Rouge and executed by the STEM Global Action team with the help of volunteer mentors, this event is more than just experiments — it's about inspiring the next generation of innovators, creators, makers and entrepreneurs.
STEM Saturday presented by ExxonMobil:
🧪 THEME: The Power of Chemistry
📅 DATE: Saturday, November 1, 2025
🕘 TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 LOCATION: Louisiana Leadership Institute, 5763 Hooper Rd, Baton Rouge, LA
💵 COST: FREE for all K–12 student
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This is more than just a fun Saturday. It’s a chance to turn curiosity into career paths and show every student that they belong in STEM.
👉 PARENTS: Register your child today by scanning the QR code above or by visiting: registration.stemnola.com
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Because Baton Rouge Belongs in STEM
The success of STEM Baton Rouge shows what’s possible when families, educators, businesses, and partners come together around a shared purpose — empowering young people to dream, discover, and design their futures.
Together, we’re ensuring that every child in Baton Rouge — no matter their background — has access to hands-on STEM experiences that build curiosity, confidence, and community.
Let’s continue to work together to make Baton Rouge not just a participant in the STEM economy — but a leader in it.
Join the movement. Inspire the future. Because you belong in STEM.
🔗 Learn more: stembatonrouge.stemglobalaction.com
📱 Follow STEM Baton Rouge: Facebook | Instagram
🌐 www.stemnola.com | www.stemglobalaction.com
| | CLICK the seal to learn more about STEM NOLA's 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence In Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. | | STEM Baton Rouge IMPACT data through 9/31/25 | | CLICK images to flip through our STEM Baton Rouge Cumulative IMPACT Report and our 2024 Cumulative STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action IMPACT report | | STEM NOLA website | social media: | | STEM Global Action website | social media: | | Please consider supporting the mission and vision of STEM Baton Rouge | STEM Global Action: | | | | |
