BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced Massachusetts STEM Week will take place Oct. 20-24, 2025, building on the message launched last year, “STEM Starts Now.” STEM Week highlights the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers, reinforcing the message that STEM learning can start at any age and plays a crucial role in shaping the future workforce of the state.
To gear up for STEM Week, the administration also opened a request for proposals for up to $250,000 in STEM design challenge grants. Nonprofit and public education organizations can apply for funding to develop and implement applied STEM learning experiences for students in pre-K through high school. Organizations can apply for grants by July 25 by clicking here.
“Massachusetts leads the nation in education and innovation because we know success starts in our classrooms and with our young people. STEM Week is about inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young people across the state,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “By investing in hands-on STEM experiences, we’re preparing students of all ages to solve problems, pursue new ideas, and lead the future economy.”
Through the STEM design challenge grants, organizations can apply for awards of up to $75,000 to support multi-grade level, regional, or statewide design challenge programs. Projects must offer week-long STEM design challenges paired with curricula, applied learning activities, and professional development for educators during Massachusetts STEM Week.
“STEM Week is a powerful reminder that learning doesn’t just happen in textbooks — it comes alive when students build, explore, and solve real-world problems. With the design challenge grants, we are creating the conditions that spark interest and build confidence in STEM, particularly for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in these fields,” Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said. “I encourage education organizations and nonprofits to partner with us in showing students that ‘STEM Starts Now’ and apply to provide students with these opportunities.”
STEM design challenge grants aim to expand access to applied STEM curricula and increase participation among historically underrepresented populations in STEM fields, including students of color, girls, low-income and first-generation students, English learners, and students with disabilities. It also seeks to provide teachers with professional development and implementation resources, promote meaningful employer engagement in curriculum design and activities, and build a community of practice to share best practices and strengthen partnerships with employers that offer paid STEM internships to high school students.
