EXPLR Hosts Second Annual National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C.

The second-annual National STEM Festival, hosted by EXPLR, took place in Washington, D.C., from March 19-22, 2025, celebrating the power of student-driven innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The festival showcased groundbreaking projects from over 100 top-performing students across 47 states and four U.S. territories, highlighting creative solutions to pressing global challenges.

A Platform for Future Innovators

Students with top-scoring projects in national STEM competitions had the opportunity to present their work to nearly 2,000 members of the public, senior government officials, and leading industry executives. The National STEM Champions engaged in exclusive educational and networking experiences, including:

• Capitol Hill Visit – A meeting with the House Digital Services team to discuss the role of technology in modern governance.

• Mini-Conference by SUNY – A panel featuring C-suite executives, scientists, and industry leaders, hosted by The State University of New York.

• Mentor Sessions & Lunch & Learn – Interactive networking events with corporate and federal leaders, including a collaboration session with the PMI Educational Foundation.

• D.C. Landmark Tour – An educational sightseeing experience led by EF Tours.

• STEM Innovation Workshop with Qualcomm – A deep dive into patents, intellectual property, funding strategies, market insights, and the importance of building strong professional networks.

Interactive Public Expo and Hands-On STEM Activities

The National STEM Festival also featured a Public Expo where attendees of all ages engaged with student innovators and explored interactive STEM activities. Highlights included:

• Baking soda experiments with Arm & Hammer.

• Robotics competitions hosted by the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation.

• A STEM escape room created by Learning Undefeated.

Support from Leading Organizations

The festival was made possible through the generous support of Co-Presenting Sponsors Autodesk, Broadcom Foundation, and The Square, along with contributions from Booz Allen, George Mason University, Google, Nokia, the Project Management Institute, The Mark Cuban Foundation, Panasonic, Caterpillar Foundation, and the State University of New York (SUNY). A full list of sponsors is available on the festival’s website.

Global Expansion: National STEM Festival Expands to Armenia

This year’s event also marked a significant milestone as EXPLR announced the expansion of the National STEM Festival to Armenia. In partnership with the Gyumri Information Technologies Center, EXPLR Co-Founders Jenny Buccos and Kari Byron joined Armenian officials, including Ambassador H.E. Lilit Makunts, for a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership will bring the festival to Armenia in 2026, furthering its mission to spotlight young innovators on a global stage.

STEM Week: Nationwide Engagement Beyond the Festival

Beyond the main festival, EXPLR’s STEM Week provided more than 100 free in-person and virtual STEM events across the U.S. from March 14-23, extending the reach of STEM education to students, educators, and families nationwide.

With its growing impact and global expansion, the National STEM Festival continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and tech leaders, proving that the future of STEM is brighter than ever.

SOURCE EXPLR