Spring 2026: Bigger Reach. Deeper Access. STEM Where Students Already Are.NEOSTEM February Partner Meeting Summary
NEOSTEM kicked off spring planning with a clear focus: expanding meaningful, career-connected STEM experiences — especially for students who don’t always get access. Watch the February Meeting Recap here.
Now in its 10th+ year, NEOSTEM continues to serve as a regional connector across schools, industry, higher ed, and community partners. This season’s strategy is intentional: No more “random acts of STEM.” Experiences are connected and happening in places students already love — sports venues, neighborhoods, and community spaces.
The Big Picture: Why NEOSTEM Exists – Ten Years Later
The tools and possibilities available to young people today—from AI to emerging technologies—are more exciting than ever, but persistent inequities remain. NEOSTEM’s mission in 2026 remains focused on:
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- Expanding equitable access to high-quality STEM learning
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- Connecting K–12 education, higher education, business, and industry
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- Turning isolated events into coordinated, sustained experiences
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- Meeting students where they are—geographically and socially
The goal is to build a connected Ecosystem of educators, business, high-education, and community-based leaders that builds identity, confidence, and pathways over time.
Score with STEM – A STEM Series
This March, alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Charge, NEOSTEM has coordinated a series of STEM events designed to give students multiple touchpoints throughout the spring.
March 3: STEM Day with the Cleveland Charge
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- Location: Public Hall
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- Time: 11:00 AM
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- Cost: Free
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- Audience: Schools and youth programs
This school-day game is expected to bring 5,000–6,000 students into Public Hall for a high-energy, STEM-infused basketball experience. Every student receives a STEM workbook used throughout the game, with activities woven into timeouts, breaks, and halftime.
Request tickets for individual classes or full busloads—at no cost – HERE.
March 27: Score with STEM at Rocket Arena (Cavaliers)
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- STEM Expo: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
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- Game: Evening tip-off
Score with STEM will transform Rocket Arena into a hands-on STEM learning environment. Students and families engage with interactive exhibits, meet STEM professionals, and explore careers connected to sports, technology, and innovation.
The daytime STEM experience will be held from 10 AM – 1 PM at Rocket Arena and is open to schools and families across Northeast Ohio. Evening game tickets are available through a mix of paid options and NEOSTEM-supported scholarships.
Exhibitors are encouraged to design interactive, immersive experiences—not just table displays—to maximize student engagement. Apply to Exhibit HERE.
April & May: STEM Days with the Cleveland Guardians
With the Cleveland Guardians, NEOSTEM will host two STEM Days, offering students the chance to explore STEM through baseball in a traditional school-day field trip format.
Organizations interested in exhibiting or sharing hands-on STEM experiences are encouraged to apply and be part of these days at the ballpark. Apply here.
If cost is a barrier, partners are encouraged to reach out to info@neostem.org , as access remains central to NEOSTEM’s mission.
Expanding Into Neighborhoods: Rec Center STEM Exploration
In addition to large-scale sports venues, NEOSTEM is expanding its community-based STEM Exploration events in local recreation centers.
Building on a successful pilot last year, NEOSTEM plans to host six neighborhood STEM events where:
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- Students and families learn together, side-by-side;
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- Local businesses and industry partners share career pathways; and
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- STEM experiences are accessible, local, and relationship-driven.
Details on dates and locations will be shared as planning continues. If you are interested in joining us as an exhibitor please complete this brief form.
Who Can Participate?
A common question during the meeting was whether these opportunities are limited to Cleveland. While NEOSTEM is prioritizing areas with the greatest concentrated need—particularly within Cleveland—partners across Northeast Ohio are welcome to participate, attend, and share opportunities with their networks.
The guiding principle is simple: if the opportunity adds value to students, families, or educators, NEOSTEM wants it accessible.
How You Can Get Involved
NEOSTEM’s work depends on collaboration. Partners can engage by:
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- Bringing students to events
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- Exhibiting with interactive STEM experiences
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- Volunteering time or expertise
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- Supporting access through sponsorships or scholarships
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- Sharing upcoming programs so NEOSTEM can amplify them
Join Us
2026 is shaping up to be a year of deeper coordination, broader access, and stronger pathways—and NEOSTEM is inviting the entire region to help build it together.