STEM NOLA ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL JEFFERSON PARISH STEM FEST
Free STEM Fest returns to Jefferson Parish following a successful 2025 inaugural event and marks STEM NOLA’s first-ever STEM Fest on the Westbank
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Following the tremendous response to last year’s inaugural eastbank event, STEM NOLA is excited to bring its Jefferson Parish STEM Fest back for a second year, continuing its commitment to exposing, engaging, and inspiring the next generation of innovators across the Greater New Orleans area. This year’s event marks two significant milestones for the organization: the first-ever STEM NOLA STEM Fest on the Westbank and the first STEM Fest sponsored by Jefferson Parish. STEM NOLA extends its sincere appreciation to Councilman Tim Kerner Jr., Councilman Byron Lee, and Councilman Deano Bonano for their partnership and support in helping bring this event to the Westbank and making this opportunity possible for Jefferson Parish students and families.
The second annual Jefferson Parish STEM Fest will take place on September 12, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The Alario Center (2000 Segnette Blvd. Westwego, LA) and will provide K-12 students with a FREE, immersive opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations. The event is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and show students that STEM is not just something they learn in a classroom—it is a pathway to their future.
This year’s STEM Fest is particularly meaningful for STEM NOLA Founder and CEO Dr. Calvin Mackie, who lives on the Westbank in Jefferson parish and has deep personal ties to the community. STEM NOLA was founded in Dr. Mackie’s Westbank garage, where he began building STEM kits for his sons to explore and work on, determined to nurture their curiosity and ensure their love for STEM never burned out. That commitment to his sons’ STEM education grew into a broader mission to inspire young people across the Greater New Orleans area. Both of his sons attended Jefferson Parish Public Schools and graduated from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, bringing Dr. Mackie’s journey from building STEM kits in his garage to bringing STEM NOLA STEM Fest to the Westbank full circle.
Registration:
Space is limited! Parents and guardians are encouraged to register their students early at https://registration.stemnola.com/ to secure their spot.
Volunteers Needed:
STEM professionals and college students are invited to volunteer and help inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators. Undergraduate college student volunteers receive a $50 stipend. To sign up as a volunteer, please visit https://stemnola.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1305147
Event Highlights:
The Jefferson Parish STEM Fest will feature more than 60 interactive STEM experiences designed to engage students across grade levels. Activities will provide opportunities for participants to experiment, build, design, solve problems, and explore STEM concepts in ways that make learning exciting and accessible. The event also creates an important bridge between students and STEM professionals. Volunteers will serve as mentors and role models throughout the experience, helping students see the real-world applications of what they are learning and introducing them to the people behind the careers they may one day pursue.
Reflecting on Last Year’s Success:
The return of STEM Fest comes on the heels of a highly successful inaugural event in 2025, which demonstrated the strong demand for accessible, hands-on STEM experiences throughout Jefferson Parish. 2025 statistics show:
- Over 500 students registered from 143 schools.
- 70% of attendees reported qualifying for free or reduced lunch, showing strong outreach to underserved communities.
- 22 professional volunteers contributed 252 total mentoring hours, demonstrating a direct connection from early STEM exposure to successful career futures.
A Vision for the Future:
For Dr. Mackie, the second annual event represents more than simply the return of a successful program—it is an opportunity to bring STEM NOLA’s mission directly into the community he calls home.
“Last year, we saw firsthand what happens when you bring high-quality STEM experiences directly into a community and give young people the opportunity to explore, create, and discover,” said Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder and CEO of STEM NOLA. “This year’s event is especially meaningful to me because I live on the Westbank, and I’ve watched my own two sons grow and learn in Jefferson Parish Public Schools. To now bring a STEM NOLA STEM Fest to the Westbank, with the support of Jefferson Parish, is incredibly exciting.”
With the second annual Jefferson Parish STEM Fest, STEM NOLA is continuing to build a community-wide culture of STEM exploration and opportunity while expanding access to high-quality, hands-on experiences throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Bringing the event to the Westbank reflects STEM NOLA’s commitment to connecting students, families, educators, professionals, and community partners and ensuring young people have meaningful opportunities to learn, explore, and engage with STEM.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: The Alario Center 2000 Segnette Blvd Westwego, LA
About STEM NOLA:
Founded by Dr. Calvin Mackie, STEM NOLA is dedicated to exposing, engaging, and inspiring students in grades K-12 to the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through hands-on programs and immersive learning experiences, STEM NOLA provides opportunities for students to build the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in STEM fields. STEM Global Action, the nationwide expansion of STEM NOLA, aims to bring these experiences to communities across the U.S. and help develop a diverse and skilled workforce for the future.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Mia Augillard
Director of Communications
STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action
maugillard@stemnola.com