Press Release  STEM Starts Now: Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Massachusetts 2025 STEM Week, Oct. 20-24

BOSTON — Next week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration will celebrate 2025 STEM Week with events and announcements across Massachusetts to lift up and highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and careers. The theme for STEM Week is ‘STEM Starts Now’, reinforcing the message that STEM learning can start at any age and plays a crucial role in shaping the future workforce of the state. 

“STEM education is critical to our future. Massachusetts students are the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who will drive our economy forward,” said Governor Maura Healey. “STEM Week is about inspiring young learners to see themselves in these fields and to understand the skills they’re building today open doors to opportunities tomorrow.”

“STEM Week is a celebration of what makes Massachusetts number one in education: our world-class schools, forward-thinking educators, and commitment to giving every student the tools to realize their dreams,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “When we connect learning to real-world experience, we help students see that STEM truly starts now.”

“‘STEM Starts Now’ is a reminder that STEM learning isn’t just for high school or college. It’s about embracing curiosity, innovation, and opportunity at any age,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “From early childhood classrooms to university labs, we’re nurturing the next generation of thinkers who will tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”

Starting Monday, Oct. 20 and lasting throughout the week, Secretary Tutwiler will attend more than a dozen STEM Week events across Massachusetts, joined throughout by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez and Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. 

“STEM learning begins in early education, where every day our educators and programs are fostering curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By nurturing these skills early, we’re building the foundation for the next generation of innovators, critical thinkers, and leaders who will shape the future in Massachusetts.”

"STEM Week is a great time for students to see how what they're learning today can relate to a fascinating STEM job in the future," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. "From school gardens to Innovation Career Pathways, we're proud to share what Massachusetts schools are doing in STEM."

“Regardless of which career a student is pursuing, Massachusetts’ colleges and universities are central to our state’s future professionals and community leaders developing the STEM skills and knowledge that are essential in our evolving economy,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “Massachusetts has made public higher education more affordable, growing opportunities for students and supporting our STEM workforce.”

2025 STEM Week Schedule

All events are open to press, please RSVP to Jason.Law@mass.gov   

Monday, October 20:

What: 2025 STEM Week kickoff and Skills Capital Grant announcement 
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Senate President Karen Spilka, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega, Framingham State President Nancy Niemi, STEM Advisory Council members
When: Monday, October 20, 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. 
Where: Framingham State University’s McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Research, 53 State St, Framingham, MA 01702  
Event starts with a tour followed by a press conference  

What: STEM Afterschool Program Visit
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez
When: Monday, October 21, 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  
Where: The Possible Zone, 31 Heath St, Boston, MA 02130

Tuesday, October 21:  

What: Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School engineering and robotics classroom visit
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District Superintendent Heidi Riccio 
When: Tuesday, October 21, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  
Where: Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, 565 Maple St, Danvers, MA 01923

What: 5^TH Annual Manufacturing Mash-Up and MassMakes Innovation Challenge  
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk
When: Tuesday, October 21, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. 
Where: Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, MA 02035 

What: Innovation Career Pathways grant announcement  
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, Bourne Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Where: Massachusetts Maritime Academy, library building 4^th floor, 101 Academy Dr, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

Wednesday, October 22:  

What: Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts STEM Design Challenge classroom visit
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw
When: Wednesday, October 22, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
Where: Rafael Hernández K-8 Dual Language School, 61 School St, Roxbury, MA 02119

What: Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grant announcement event
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega, Springfield Technical Community College President John Cook
When: Wednesday, October 22, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  
Where: Springfield Tech Community College, 1 Armory St, Springfield, MA 01105  

What: Smith College engineering program visit, one of the first ever all-women ABET-accredited engineering program
Who: Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega, Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton
When: Wednesday, October 22, 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  
Where: Smith College, 10 Elm St, Northampton, MA 01063  

What: Science Club for Girls classroom visit, with hands-on STEM exploration led by women-in-STEM mentors 
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw
When: Wednesday, October 22, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.  
Where: King Open School, 850 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141

Thursday, October 23:  

What: Career-connected learning grants announcement and Career Technical Education classroom tour 
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Labor and Workforce Development Undersecretary Josh Cutler, Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Regina Robinson
When: Thursday, October 23, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
Where: MVP Academy satellite campus of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, 270 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.  

What: Medford middle school robotics program visit
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Medford Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Suzanne B. Galusi ·
When: Thursday, October 23, 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: McGlynn Middle School, 3002 Freedom Way, Medford, MA 02155

Friday, October 24:

What: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project visit 
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Director of Food and Child Nutrition Programs Rob Leshin
When: Friday, October 24, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
Where: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, 733 Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915

What: Mass FRESH grant celebration and announcement related to healthy local school meals  
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Director of Food and Child Nutrition Programs Rob Leshin
When: 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
Where: Beverly Children’s Learning Center, 550 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA

What: Museum of Science Design Challenge
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, and Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie
When: Friday, October 24, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
Where:  Pioneer Charter School of Science, 51-59 Summer St, Everett, MA 02149

###