The return on early talent.
The National STEM Festival is a workforce-investment platform — connecting the next generation of innovators to the industry, government, and education leaders who hire, fund, and shape their futures. Here's what 2026 delivered.
115 markets
events
represented
attendees
innovators
One platform, three returns.
Real skills, mentorship, and a national stage — aligned to the jobs the economy actually needs.
Measurable, early access to emerging talent that feeds internships, scholarships, and future hires.
A stronger STEM and advanced-manufacturing pipeline — talent developed where it's needed most.
A DC stage, a nationwide movement.
The Washington, DC Festival anchored 250 free and low-cost STEM Week events, independently led across all 50 states, with online programming extending participation nationwide. Its 52 student innovators represented 45 states and territories, and the Public Expo drew guests from 35 states, 186 cities, and 8 countries.
STEM Week events across all 50 states
Cities represented at the Public Expo
Student innovators, from 45 states & territories
Countries represented among attendees
A room full of decision-makers.
The VIP & Media Showcase and "STEM in Practice: AI in the Real World" convened 205 professional guests — 64 of them executive-level (President, C-suite, Founder, Executive Director, VP, or Director) — alongside dozens of corporate partners and sponsors backing the next generation of talent.
Professional guests engaged
Executive-level leaders in the room
Speakers & mentors — industry, science & government
Hands-on activities & experiences
On the radar in Washington.
The Festival reached decision-makers well beyond industry: 14 federal-agency officials and 11 congressional offices attended in person, while 55 congressional offices engaged through outreach on their home-state student innovators — a direct line between emerging talent and national workforce and manufacturing priorities.
Federal-agency officials in attendance
Congressional offices in attendance
Congressional offices engaged nationwide
It changes how students see their future.
Left more excited about STEM & manufacturing careers
TV views across 115 markets, amplifying the Festival & its partners
States reached through STEM Week programming
Invest in the next generation.
Partners gain measurable access to early talent, executive and policy audiences, and national brand reach — while building the STEM and advanced-manufacturing workforce of the future.