Hands-on STEM learning programs give Cleveland children access to science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive recreation center activities
“Can you come back next week?” That’s the question that one child asked as she was leaving the Michael J. Zone Recreation Center at the end of a NEOSTEM-led STEM Family night held there in April.
Many of the more than 540 students and families who attended one of the events asked similar questions about the three family STEM learning events created to engage people in scientific discovery and STEM career learning.
With smiles and busy hands, children worked in laboratories made from ordinary gym spaces—measuring their own heartbeats, coding through beadwork, building floating structures, and diving into the mysteries of water science.
Last week, NEOSTEM transformed ordinary afternoons into extraordinary adventures at Michael J. Zone and Zelma Watson George Recreation Centers. These Family STEM Exploration discover how classroom concepts jump to life in the real world—and how they might just shape their futures.
STEM Organizations Bring Hands-On Science Activities to Cleveland Kids
The events featured more than 12 different organizations offering interactive STEM activities including:
-
- STEM Playbook: Demonstrating the connection between sports and science by measuring heart rates and blood oxygen levels
-
- Hack Club Cleveland: Introducing coding concepts and IT career paths
-
- Case Western Reserve University Girls Who Code: Creating Boolean bracelets that make coding tangible
-
- DigitalC: Engaging families with coding activities and rover demonstrations
-
- City of Cleveland Water Department: Providing hands-on experiments about water science
-
- Cleveland Public Power: Showcasing electricity through interactive demonstrations
-
- Food Strong: Exploring agricultural science through seed starting and soil bug activities
-
- Holden Forests & Gardens: Sharing the research-based benefits of plants and trees
-
- Forest Academy: Testing weight and buoyancy with creative designs
What Children Say About STEM Learning Through Recreation
These events do more than just entertain—they open doors to possibilities. With STEM jobs projected to grow significantly faster than non-STEM careers and typically offering salaries well above national averages, early exposure to these fields creates pathways to economic stability and upward mobility for Cleveland families.
Parents recognize the value as well, with one sharing: “My daughter loves science and math and this is so good for her to see that there are careers.”
By making STEM accessible, interactive, and fun, these events help children envision themselves in high-demand fields that might otherwise seem out of reach.
Follow NEOSTEM on socials and sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn more about upcoming STEM events near you!
In partnership with the City of Cleveland and STEM Playbook, NEOSTEM hosted three Family STEM Exploration events to connect students and families with resources and local partners offering opportunities in STEM learning. The events also worked to support STEM career exposure for students. The events were directly aligned with pillars one, two and five for our strategic work plan to transform Northeast Ohio into a nationally recognized hub of STEM excellence.