LA STEM Collective | All Systems Go: Celebrating Community as a Partnership Strategy
On a warm August afternoon in South Los Angeles, over 130 organizations gathered at the Beehive to celebrate something remarkable: five years of collaborative impact that has touched hundreds of thousands of young STEM learners across Greater Los Angeles. The “All Systems Go!” celebration wasn’t just a party—it was a strategic demonstration of how joy, recognition, and public visibility can strengthen a STEM Ecosystem and fuel its growth. With interactive exhibits ranging from self-solving Rubik’s Cube robots to DIY cardboard pinhole cameras, youth speakers sharing their STEM journeys, and recognition from members of the US House of Representatives, California State Assembly, and Los Angeles County and City officials, the LA STEM Collective showed how celebration can be a powerful tool for building and sustaining cross-sector partnerships that transform STEM education.
About the LA STEM Collective
The LA STEM Collective serves as the STEM Ecosystem for Greater Los Angeles, bringing together education organizations (formal, informal, out-of-school, and higher education), civic, business, and industrial sectors. Born from the urgent need to support students during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Collective has grown from approximately 20 organizations providing remote learning to more than 100 member organizations throughout Los Angeles County Led by Executive Director Jamecca Marshall, the Collective works to ensure all learners in Greater Los Angeles—especially those from under-resourced communities—have access to high-quality STEM learning experiences, resources, and pathways to STEM careers. Their vision centers on developing creative, critical thinkers and doers who will shape the region’s future workforce and economy.
Innovative Practice
The LA STEM Collective transformed their fifth anniversary into a strategic partnership-building event that accomplished multiple goals simultaneously: celebrating member contributions, showcasing impact to funders and policymakers, elevating youth voice, and attracting new partners.
The event’s impact rippled through multiple audiences. Political leaders including LAUSD District 7 Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin, California STEM Network Statewide Director Jessica Sawko, and Steve Baule from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability delivered remarks underscoring the critical role of STEM education in shaping the region’s future. Los Angeles City Council Member Hugo Soto-Martinez captured the event’s significance:
"In a time when our education opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce, LA STEM Collective is proving that we can still uplift and inspire the oncoming generations. STEM education is not a luxury—it is a necessity."
Youth leaders took center stage, with student speakers including Aammarah Gage, a Mechanical Engineering student at UCLA, Katelyn Liu, a high school student and founder of WOW! That’s STEM, and Sarah Siegel, founder of LaunchBot, sharing personal stories of how STEM has inspired them.
"I loved getting to connect with so many organizations, professionals, and educators, and it was such a joy to introduce LaunchBot to the community. I feel so lucky to be part of the LA STEM Collective."
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 28: All Systems Go! Celebrating 5 Years of the LA STEM Collective on Thursday August 28, 2025 at SoLa Beehive in Los Angeles, CA (Photo by Karim Saafir @karims123)
The Collective’s implementation strategy for building partnerships through celebration included several key elements:
- Strategic Location Selection: Hosting the event at the Beehive in South Los Angeles grounded celebration in a community central to the region the Ecosystem serves
- Multi-Audience Design: Creating programming that simultaneously engaged community partners (interactive STEM exhibits), policymakers (recognition and impact data), educators (professional networking), and youth leaders (speaking opportunities and hands-on activities)
- Member Showcase Platform: Providing space for member organizations to display their programs through eye-catching exhibits, allowing potential partners to see the breadth and quality of the Ecosystem’s work
- Impact Storytelling: Weaving data throughout the event—highlighting the Collective’s response to the January 2025 wildfires, showcasing the Stitch platform for connecting families to after-school programs, and sharing growth metrics
- Public Recognition: Securing proclamations and remarks from multiple government levels, validating the Ecosystem’s work and creating opportunities for policy partnerships
- Documentation and Amplification: Professional photography and videography captured the event for ongoing marketing, recruitment, and storytelling purposes
Looking Ahead
The success of “All Systems Go!” provides a scalable model for the LA STEM Collective to sustain and expand their partnership network. Executive Director Jamecca Marshall emphasized this forward momentum: “There is still a lot of work to do, and LA STEM is ‘all systems go’ to continue expanding STEM learning opportunities throughout LA County.” The Collective plans to leverage the visibility and connections from this celebration to deepen relationships with civic leaders, attract corporate partners interested in workforce development, and expand their reach into additional under-resourced neighborhoods. The event established a template for future celebrations that can serve as touchpoints for partner engagement, public accountability, and community building. By demonstrating that over 100 organizations can work collaboratively toward a shared vision, the Collective has positioned itself as a convener that makes partnership not just productive, but joyful.
About LA STEM Collective
The LA STEM Collective is the STEM Ecosystem for Greater Los Angeles, bringing together more than 100 education organizations, civic partners, businesses, and industry leaders to amplify STEM education for children and youth across the region. The Collective creates comprehensive learning pathways that connect formal schooling with out-of-school time experiences, ensuring all learners—especially those from under-resourced communities—have access to high-quality STEM opportunities and career pathways.
Media Contact: Maddie Warner Admin & Communications Coordinator LA STEM Collective (213) 787-4044, ext. 4 info@LASTEMCollective.org
Press Release: LA STEM Collective is “All Systems Go”: Igniting a Bold Future for STEM in Los Angeles
Learn More: www.lastemcollective.org
