Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development

From Problem to Response: Solving Real-World Challenges

Empowering high school students to tackle meaningful, real-world challenges in biomanufacturing using STEM and design thinking. In partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), Blackstone Valley Hub will provide programming and support for the MassMakes Innovation Challenge at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up (Mash-Up) and the MassMakes Innovation Showcase, reaching approximately 600 high school students.

The Line Is Down. Your Team Is Up.

A new immersive Manufacturing Mystery Challenge is currently in development for student teams participating in the 2026 Mash-Up.

More Mash-Up information available at: mashupmfg.org/

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts

Detect & Design: Imagine It. Create It

Programming will include scientific investigation, sustainable engineering and robotics activities delivered through events, school-based programming and GSEMA’s STEM-ON-THE-GO mobile learning program. Students will also engage with STEM professionals from RTX to learn about engineering and career pathways.

Museum of Science, Boston and Youth Engineering Solutions

Engineering Careers Exploration

The Museum of Science’s 2026 Mass STEM Week challenge and exploration builds awareness of engineering and the Engineering Design Process, and promotes exploration of engineering careers. The activities, which can be completed in 1.5 hours, are designed for upper elementary and middle school youth.

First, youth learn what engineers do by designing a model bench for people waiting at a bus stop and connecting their experience to the Engineering Design Process. Next, they choose one of four engineering problems to explore through a comic and a featured engineer’s Day in the Life story that simulates real-world decision-making. They reflect on the variety of problems engineers solve and the other professionals they may work alongside.

Lesson plans, slides, and student print materials (English and Spanish) will be available for free download to help educators implement the STEM Week activities in their classroom or out-of-school setting.

Free Webinar - Raising Awareness of Engineering & Engineering Careers
Thursday, October 1, 2026
4:00pm-5:00pm
Webinar Registration

Download the Activity Materials (free)

Visit yes.mos.org/stemweek to learn more about Engineering Careers Exploration

The Space Consortium, Inc.

Space Exploration Design Challenge

This challenge is made of a series of nine space-themed activities expected to reach more than 1,000 PK–12 students through six in-person events and three hybrid statewide programs. Activities will include astronomy and solar observation, space career exploration, science media literacy, space ethics and United Nations planetary-defense simulations. The Consortium will draw on a Massachusetts network of more than 120 experts and relationships with organizations including Massachusetts General Hospital, Draper, Busek, universities and the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium.

Wade Institutue for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences

H2Whoa! Hydroengineers at Work

The Challenge: Access to clean water is a global issue and clean water is essential to human life. Your team of engineers is tasked with solving a real-world problem: how to collect and clean water when it’s scarce or polluted. You will also design and build a system that can capture rainwater, or snowmelt, and filter it to make it cleaner. Using limited materials, limited time, and a predetermined budget, you will plan, build, and test your designs. You will also work together to find ways to improve the designs. Your goal is to create an efficient, creative, and sustainable solution to help people access cleaner water.

• An in-person or virtual Professional Development session for educators planning to implement the Challenge in their classrooms.

• A Curriculum Guide providing background information and inquiry-based investigations that can be used to lead up to the Challenge.

• Eligibility for a materials kit for implementing the Challenge in your classroom. (Massachusetts schools only)

Cost: FREE!
The Curriculum Guide, materials kit, and the teacher workshops are free, courtesy of generous funding from the Executive Office of Education and the MA STEM Network. MA teachers can receive the materials kit for their own classroom. Available for pick up mid-October. 

Workshop dates:
Dates TBD - Late October/Early November

Workshop location:
The Lloyd Center for the Environment | South Dartmouth, MA

Suggested Grade Band: Grades 5-8, adaptable for Grades 3-12

Registration | Visit wadeinstitutema.org/massachusetts-stem-week-challenges/ for more information

Work-Based Learning Alliance, Inc.

Designing a Sustainable Future

Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to design a sustainable urban aquaculture farm integrating solar energy, recirculating water filtration and community food solutions. The hybrid experience will include engagement with industry professionals, support and professional development for participating educators, and a statewide showcase where students will present their designs and receive feedback from industry professionals.

YMCAs of Massachusetts

GreenFit: Design a Sustainable YMCA

More than six YMCA’s statewide and more than 55 middle and high school students will engage in a hands-on design challenge focused on sustainability. Students will apply STEM skills and the engineering design process to explore how YMCA facilities can become more sustainable.

Additional Challenges

Youth Climate Solutions Challenge 2026-2027

MassEnergize

The Youth Climate Solutions Challenge is an after-school community-based STEM program designed and directed by MassEnergize for high school students across Massachusetts. This climate leadership, team-based competition challenges students to design and implement clean energy and climate solutions, stepping outside the classroom to lead real-world outreach campaigns. 

Program Structure:

• Students form teams of 2-6 members per team

• Teams are divided by region; up to 15 teams per region 

• Each team is supported by a teacher or community advisor

• MassEnergize provides mentorship and support throughout the year

• Teams collaborate with local sustainability committees, climate organizations, and municipal staff

• Teams must demonstrate creativity, innovation, community engagement, and impact to receive points

• Teams produce a short project video (under 4 min) to aid their campaign

• Students present a poster session at the annual Community Climate Leaders Conference

• Awards are given top performing teams at the final Awards Night

More information about prizes, seed grants and support for schools & advisors can be found here.

Apply for the challenge by October 16, 2026. 
Selected School Teams will be announced Monday, October 26, 2026

STEM Challenge: Engineering for a Sustainable Future

with Girl Scouts of Eastern MA

Taking care of our planet is important, and engineers play a crucial role in developing sustainable solutions that help keep it clean and healthy.

Join engineers from RTX at UMass Lowell as we explore how to engineer for a sustainable future. Build a wind-powered vehicle to race across the room, get career tips from engineering professionals, and design a new way of carrying cans without environmentally harmful single-use plastic rings.

October 25, 2026
9:00am-12:15pm AND 1:30pm-4:30pm
UMass Lowell

Registration: This program is for girls in grades 4-8. No Girl Scout membership required.