The Massachusetts STEM Summit is an annual statewide event that attracts leaders and practitioners from the state’s education, business and government sectors, all dedicated to promoting a STEM-literate workforce and citizenry.
STEM Summit 2022 was held on April 28th in a hybrid format, with both virtual and in-person sessions featuring captivating and thoughtful speakers throughout the Commonwealth with a common goal of Inspiring a STEM Start for all individuals.
Building from the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council goals, this year's Summit aimed to continue creating and sustaining high-quality, integrated STEM pathways, and deepening employer and educator partnerships.
As part of the in-person component of the hybrid summit, there were regional sites at UMass Amherst, Museum of Science in Boston, UMass Dartmouth, the Amazon facility in Westborough, and Westfield State University. Discussions occurred with employers, school decision-makers, and administration officials about opportunities to partner, best practices, and the future of STEM in the Commonwealth. A library of prerecorded content celebrating and recognizing STEM learning innovation and best practices were shared.
The Keynote speaker was Worcester Polytechnic Institute President Laurie Leshin, the 16th president and first woman to lead WPI. An accomplished geochemist and space scientist, she earned her BS in Chemistry, summa cum laude, at Arizona State University, and an MS and PhD in Geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology, which honored her in 2021 with its Distinguished Alumni Award. She also serves on the STEM Advisory Council and has played a key role in expanding access to high-quality STEM education for students across the Commonwealth. In May 2022, she will assume a new role, serving as the director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, operated by Caltech for NASA.