MASS STEM WEEK 2026 METROWEST EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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Creepy Crawlies: STEM ON THE GO does Spooky Science
with Girl Scouts of Eastern MA
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Waltham
Science...but make it spooky. Visit with GSEMA's mobile science center, STEM ON-THE-GO, and discover the creepy crawlies that live in Massachusetts year-round! Take a closer look at bug anatomy using a microscope, learn about the important roles these creatures play in the ecosystem, go on a bug hunt around camp, and finish with a fun craft to showcase what you've learned.
Patch included. Volunteer supervision required.
Spooky Camp Detective
Date: Sunday, October 18
Times: 10:30am-12:30pm Daisy, Brownie; 1:30pm-3:30pm Daisy, Brownie; 4:00pm-6:00pm Juniors
Location: Plymouth and Waltham
Can you solve the case of the missing jack-o'-lanterns? The monsters' party is about to begin, and someone has stolen all the jack-o'-lanterns! Take on fun detective experiments and narrow down the suspects until you can find the true culprit.
Patch included. Volunteer supervision is required.
Rockets and Space Science Night
with New England Sci-Tech
Date: October 20-22
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Location: New England Sci-Tech, Natick MA
This year is a celebration of Moon and Mars observation and exploration. We encourage people to learn more about STEM in space science, to share Moon or Mars-inspired stories and artwork, and to continue observing the sky and the world around us.
Program is for children in grades 1-6 with accompanying parent to help with paper rocket building and launching:
Build and launch an air-powered paper rocket, hold a meteorite from the Moon and a meteorite from Mars, and see a Space Science 3D Show using 3D glasses.
Bring a homemade space artwork to show and are encouraged to wear space-themed shirts or costumes.
Take-home goodie bags for all participating children.
The 1st Quarter Moon will be up on Oct 20-22, so we may use the giant telescope to observe it, weather permitting.
Free - registration required, no walk-ins.
Visit: nescitech.org/stemweek
Astrophotography for Beginners (Part 1 of 2 Workshop)
with The Space Consortium
Part I:
Date: Tuesday, October 20
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Virtual
During Massachusetts STEM Week, learn how to capture the night sky in this free two-part Astrophotography for Beginners workshop!
Start with an online introductory lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 5-6 pm, then put what you learned into practice during a hands-on workshop at STAR FEST on Boston Common on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6.30-8.30 pm.
Space is limited, and attendance at Tuesday’s online lecture is required to participate in the Saturday workshop. Participants registered for this two-part workshop do not need a separate ticket for STAR FEST#2.
To register and get more information, visit: tickettailor.com/events/thespaceconsortium/2432327?date=2026-10-20
See Yourself in the Green Workforce: Explore, Share, & Network!
with MSEN and the Christa McAuliffe Center in collaboration with FSU Career Development
Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: McCarthy Center Forum at Framingham State University
Free - Students, college and high school juniors & seniors, meet with employers in clean energy, sustainability, and environmental stewardship to:
Explore job opportunities in energy efficiency, clean energy, transportation, waste management, sustainable practices for communities and businesses, environmental policy, and more!
Share their educational and career interests.
Network with professionals to learn about STEM and non-STEM roles these industries offer.
For more information, visit: cm-center.org/event/greenworkforce
Free Virtual Educator Session: 3D Design & Printing in the Classroom
with InnoAddi STEM Education Center
Date: Thursday, October 22
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Virtual
Free Virtual Educator Session - Explore how ideas become real objects through 3D design and printing with InnoAddi. Participants will learn how 3D printers work and use beginner-friendly design software to create their own digital models. Through hands-on activities, they will practice measuring, working with shapes, and improving their designs while building creativity and problem-solving skills.
The program focuses on engineering, technology, and design, connecting STEM concepts with real-world applications.
No prior 3D design or printing experience is required.
Register and learn more here.
MOON MAN Movie Premiere
with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts
Date: Thursday, October 22
Time: 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Location: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Hopkinton MA
MOON MAN brings to life the story of Worcester native Robert Goddard, the visionary space pioneer who made history with the launch of the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket.
This screening will be followed by a brief Q&A with several members of the film’s cast and crew. After premiering at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in July, the film now comes home to the HCA—where members of our own creative community helped bring this remarkable story to the screen.
Tickets required.
For tickets and more information, visit: canvas.hopartscenter.org/events/142
*Limited waived ticket fee available by directly emailing: paulc@hopartscenter.org
Roman Telescope Special Planetarium Community Event
with the Christa McAuliffe Center and FSU Planetarium
Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Location: Christa McAuliffe & Planetarium at Framingham State University
Described as NASA’s new flagship telescope, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope successfully launched on August 30, 2026. Join us for a live show exploring Roman’s capabilities and the science it will do in its first year in space. Afterwards we will show the film, Phantom of the Universe.
Recommended for families and all ages. Tickets are required.
Tickets and more information, coming soon: cm-center.org/event/romantelescope
Spooky Skies Planetarium Halloween Spook-tacular!
with the Christa McAuliffe Center and FSU Planetarium
Date: Friday, October 30
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Christa McAuliffe & Planetarium at Framingham State University
Just like Frankenstein’s monster rising up, we are bringing back our Halloween live show spook-tacular! We will be showcasing all new creepy and eerie cosmic objects, such as ghoulish galaxies and nefarious nebulae. Afterwards, we will show our film Undiscovered Worlds.
Recommended for families and all ages. Tickets are required.
Tickets and more information, coming soon: cm-center.org/event/spookyskies
Astrophotography for Beginners (Part 2 of 2 Workshop)
with The Space Consortium
Part II:
Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: In-person
During Massachusetts STEM Week, learn how to capture the night sky in this free two-part Astrophotography for Beginners workshop!
Start with an online introductory lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 5-6 pm, then put what you learned into practice during a hands-on workshop at STAR FEST on Boston Common on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6.30-8.30 pm.
Space is limited, and attendance at Tuesday’s online lecture is required to participate in the Saturday workshop. Participants registered for this two-part workshop do not need a separate ticket for STAR FEST#2.
To register and get more information, visit: tickettailor.com/events/thespaceconsortium/2432327?date=2026-10-20
BEST AQI -
Breathing Easier: Supporting Teen Air Quality Investigations
Educator Informational Webinar
with MSEN and the Christa McAuliffe Center
Date: Wednesday, October 28
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Zoom
Learn about how you can be trained to implement BEST AQI in your classroom!
For High School Educators: Join the MetroWest STEM Education Network to learn more about the BEST AQI - Breathing Easier: Supporting Teen Air Quality Investigations Program and Toolkit developed by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Learn more about the program, and upcomingprofessional development.
For more information and registration, visit: cm-center.org/event/bestaqi
50 Years Weatherization Assistance Program
A MetroWest Community Energy Fair
Hosted by Green Jobs Academy and SMOC
Date: Friday, October 30
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: Green Jobs Academy, Marlborough
FREE Admission | Hear from experts | Connect with resources | Live Demonstrations
Join the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) to celebrate National Weatherization Day and 50 years of the Weatherization Assistance Program. Learn about home energy assistance, weatherization services, financial rebates, and workforce programs all in one place.
Stop by to chat with local experts and discover how to save energy and money. No registration required—we hope to see you there!
Learn more: https://www.greenjobsacademy.org/event-details/community-energy-fair
Private Events
BEST AQI - Breathing Easier: Supporting Teen Air Quality Investigations with Girls Inc. MetroWest. The Christa McAuliffe Center will facilitate BEST AQI activities with Girls Inc. MetroWest.
Norwood High School Launches after-school Robotics Clubs featuring BEST AQI toolkit. Students will design and build an electric vehicle of their design, based on the VEX System, and describe how this vehicle would impact air pollution using the BEST AQI - Breathing Easier: Supporting Teen Air Quality Investigations Toolkit.
Space Mission Simulations and Planetarium Programs with Woodland Elementary School, Milford MA. The Christa McAuliffe Center will be hosting all of the 5 grade level for STEM Week programming!
Hands-On Space Activities Afterschool! The Christa McAuliffe Center will facilitate hands-on space activities for 50 school-age youth at Douglas Primary School in collaboration with Whitinsville Community Center!