SciTech Institute

10/06/2026

Meet Donna, a Chief Science Officer from Orange County.

Last year, her annual Action Plan focused on restoring native plant species in California. She and her team hosted a hands-on activity at their city's holiday event.

“We were able to teach community members how to compose their own seed bombs and educate them on the importance of maintaining native plant species in various habitats. The biggest lesson I learned was the importance of building community connection and expanding STEAM engagement!”

Chief Science Officers have the opportunity to turn ideas like these into action with support through the CSO program. A $25 gift helps fund materials CSOs need to bring their project to life.

Fund the Work Behind the Impact. Support Chief Science Officers:
https://givebutter.com/csos-back-to-school-2026

10/05/2026

🍂 Pick Up a STEM Hobby!

October is a great time to try out a new interest, and this month’s STEM resources offer plenty of ways to get started.

🥾 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge: Get moving with Maricopa County Parks and Recreation through hiking, running, biking, or horseback riding.
https://scitechinstitute.org/event/maricopa-county-parks-and-recreation-discovery-station-100-miles-in-100-days-challenge-23/

🔭 Starry Nights Star Party: Explore the night sky with the Prescott Astronomy Club on Oct. 30 at Winey Cats in Chino Valley.
https://scitechinstitute.org/event/prescott-astroomy-club-starry-nights-star-party-winey-cats/

📱 Photographing Fast Flight: Learn smartphone photography techniques for capturing bees and hummingbirds in motion with Desert Botanical Garden on Nov. 4.
https://scitechinstitute.org/event/desert-botanical-garden-photographing-fast-flight-smartphone/

🌱 Start a Garden: Gardens for Humanity shares resources for getting started with soil, compost, seeds, water, dryland gardening, and more.
https://scitechinstitute.org/k12/listing/144935/

✏️ Introduction to Scientific Sketching: Learn how drawing can be a tool for scientific observation with the California Academy of Sciences.
https://scitechinstitute.org/listing/california-academy-of-sciences-introduction-to-scientific-sketching/

Explore these resources and find more ways to connect STEM with your interests through SciTech Institute.

10/01/2026

A spirit of collaboration and a willingness to explore new perspectives can lead to powerful ideas and meaningful progress.

On October 16, Human Flourishing: The Case for Optimism will bring together participants from across the country and globe in Mesa, Arizona.

Educators, coaches, peacebuilders, psychologists, systems thinkers, founders, and leadership practitioners will exchange perspectives on what helps people and communities grow together.

Join to add your perspective to a conversation about how we shape a more optimistic future.

Register:

You're Invited Human Flourishing is built on one question:what allows people, and the societies they build together, to flourish?The question is ancient. Our way of pursuing it is specific — honest inquiry, evidence before assumption, and a

09/28/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Youth Solutions Summit! 🌱

Students gathered at Desert Botanical Garden to learn from an incredible group of speakers working in wildlife, water, conservation, sustainability, AI, and environmental science.

The day was all about connecting young people with real-world ideas, experiences, and people who are making a difference in their communities.

Thank you to our speakers, partners, students, families, volunteers, and everyone who helped make the Summit possible!

09/24/2026

Chief Science Officer is a real title. And there’s real work behind it.

CSOs are leading STEM in their schools and communities, developing Action Plans, building leadership skills, exploring careers, and turning their ideas into impact.

Now, we’re raising $20,000 to help fund the training, resources, mentorship, and experiences that make that work possible.

$100 supports a CSO’s Youth Solutions Summit experience.
$500 funds an Action Plan.
$1,000 supports a CSO for a full school year.

Help us put resources behind the next generation of STEM leaders. Fund the Work Behind the Impact.

Support Chief Science Officers by donating here: https://givebutter.com/csos-back-to-school-2026

09/21/2026

Stronger STEMM pathways require more than good ideas. They require practical ways to turn those ideas into action.

SciTech Institute is proud to have contributed to a new Field Guide from the STEMM Opportunity Alliance, bringing our experience connecting education, workforce, industry, and communities to a broader national effort.

The goal: help organizations increase STEMM opportunities through strategies they can apply within their own communities and networks.

There’s more to come soon, but first, join SciTech Institute and SOA on September 29 for a webinar introducing the Field Guide and the work behind it.

Register: https://aaas.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mVxl1LbLSJmrIsC-GgT99A

09/17/2026

SciTech Institute’s workforce superpower is turning skills into a shared language. 💡

Our Skills Map Framework connects essential skills with real-world industries, giving students, educators, and employers a clearer way to understand and build career-ready skills.

For , we’re joining STEMM Opportunity Alliance to highlight the work-behind-the workforce, helping learners connect their efforts in the here and now with future career opportunities.

09/15/2026

✂️ It’s official! Today, we celebrated a Little Free Library Ribbon Cutting at Academy of Math & Science – Avondale!

AMS Avondale is now a SciTech Institute STEM for All Kits program partner, which means their school community will receive new hands-on STEM kits every month through their Little Free Library.

We’re excited to welcome AMS Avondale to the program and bring even more opportunities for students and families to explore, build, create, and learn together.

09/13/2026

🌟 September Resources: Reach for the Stars! The Wonders of Astronomy 🌟

This month, explore the universe with astronomy resources for learners, educators, and families! 🔭🪐

🌌 Flagstaff Festival of Science — Events, tours, and stargazing: https://scifest.org/schedule/

🪐 Exoplanets Through Kepler’s Laws — Explore planetary motion with PBS LearningMedia: https://scitechinstitute.org/k12/listing/105633/

🚀 NASA Space Place — Space games, activities, and videos: https://scitechinstitute.org/k12/listing/111185/

🌠 Khan Academy — Explore cosmology and astronomy: https://scitechinstitute.org/k12/listing/115560/

✨ Stellarium Labs — Explore the night sky with a virtual star map: https://scitechinstitute.org/k12/listing/130305/