Get Involved – Get STEM

Check out the Engineering Machine Design Contest! Each year a competition theme is chosen to guide the machine build and allow for whimsical creativity to flourish. Students are able to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) principles while having fun in a collaborative environment.

It’s that time of year- Robotics season! Learn more about tournaments and upcoming events with High Tech Kids! Don’t miss Minnesota FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship on Saturday February 14 at Burnsville High School!  This is a high energy celebration of robotics, creativity, and problem solving and one of the most spirited STEM events in the state.

Don’t miss African Americans in STEM Day at the Science Museum of Minnesota! On March 7, 2026 the Science Museum will bring together voices from across Twin Cities community organizations, educational institutions, and advocacy groups to celebrate and elevate the impacts of often underrepresented communities in STEM. Enjoy hands-on activities, learn about science careers through interactive displays and presentations, and witness engaging live performances.

June 22-26, 2026 join the Engineering Center of Excellence for Siemens Engineering Design Teacher Training in Shakopee, Minnesota.  This immersive, in-person professional development experience is designed for 9th–12th grade educators interested in implementing the Siemens Engineering Design curriculum in their classrooms. Participants will engage in 5-days of hands-on engineering design activities, explore project- and program-based instructional strategies, and gain practical experience with industry-aligned tools and resources.

Join us for STEM Day at the Capitol on April 15, 2026! SciMathMN and the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem invite you to to an afternoon of STEM! You can expect to see and hear members of the STEM Learning Community who represent in-school and after-school STEM learning, and workforce development. This is an opportunity to come together and discuss the future of STEM learning in our state. This event is sponsored by our partners at Xcel Energy.

Don’t miss the Minnesota Science Bowl! This fast-paced team Q & A competition, covering all branches of science and math, for middle school and high school students. Winning teams represent Minnesota at the National Science Bowl, all expenses paid! The 2026 High School Science Bowl will be January 24, 2026 and the Middle School Science Bowl will be February 21, 2026.

Celebrate Women in Science at Discovery Day at the Bakken Museum on March 21, 2026. Women in Science is an in-depth exploration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math topics with hands-on activities and partner demonstrations. Discovery Days activities are included with museum admission.

August 3-7, 2026 join the Engineering Center of Excellence for the  Microelectronics Mini-Externship & Curriculum Training. This is a professional learning experience for secondary educators who want to bring real-world microelectronics, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing concepts into their classrooms—confidently and intentionally. This pilot program combines hands-on curriculum training, short industry immersion, and guided planning support so educators can connect what they teach to how technology is designed, built, and used in Minnesota industries today.

Don’t miss the Minnesota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference on March 27-28, 2026 at Wayzata High School. Events span technical, skilled, and leadership areas, including robotics, automotive technology, welding, and public speaking. Competitions are developed, overseen, and judged by industry professionals to ensure they match current employer needs.  Whether you want to judge an event or learn more about the organization- you’ll want to check it out! 

Don’t miss the Small Gas Engine (SGE) BriefCASE on June 16-18, 2026 at Owatonna High School.  SGE is a specialization-level module in the Mechanical Systems in Agriculture series for high school teachers. The module provides technical applications to mechanical systems, using small gas engines as the instructional tool. Students practice technical skills, including measurements, troubleshooting, documenting an engine teardown and assembly, completing work/repair orders, and reading a service manual.

Join us at the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair on Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St. Paul River Centre in St. Paul, located 175 Kellogg Blvd West, St Paul, MN 55102. Check back for additional details as we get closer to the event.

Make sure to check out Trades in Every Classroom summer of 2026, hosted by the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence. The Trades in Every Classroom Externship Program gives educators a behind-the-scenes look at today’s workplaces—so you can connect classroom learning to real careers, tools, and industry practices. This cohort-based professional learning experience is designed to make instruction more relevant, engaging, and career-connected for students in grades 6–12.

Join us April 20-21, 2026 along with more than 6,000 FFA members and guests from across the state for the FFA annual convention. Students will participate in general sessions, competitive events, educational tours, leadership workshops, visit with colleges, and more. The 2026 State Convention will be held on the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campuses, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and the St. Paul Pipefitters Training and Certification Center (Ag. Technology and Mechanics state participants only).

Make sure to check out Breakfast at the Zoo (Feb 28, March 14, March 28) from, 8:30 – 10 a.m., enjoy a build-your-own pancake bar. You can top your stack of flapjacks with butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, fruit preserves, candied pecans – and whipped cream, of course. Eat up, then enjoy family-friendly activity stations, story time, and games. Breakfast at the Zoo tickets are $20 for adults, $14 for kids 3-12, and free for 0-2 years old. General admission tickets are added in the ticket price for non-members to explore the trails after your meal.

Don’t miss the 2METC Minnesota Manufactured conference on April 8-9, 2026 at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea. There will be hands on workshops, manufacturing tours, break-out sessions and so much more! 

Join us at the Minnesota HOSA State Leadership Conference on March 9–11, 2026 at the River’s Edge Convention Center, St. Cloud. The c onference is an enriching and exciting event that brings together future healthcare professionals from across the state. This conference serves as a key platform for HOSA members to grow their leadership skills, connect with peers, and explore the ever-evolving world of healthcare.

On June 22-26, 2026 AgCentic is hosting the Agriculture, Robotics, Automation, & Technology (ARAT) Project at St. Cloud Technical & Community College.  The ARAT Project is an NSF-funded initiative that brings together community colleges, secondary educators, and industry partners to develop curriculum and professional development in agricultural robotics and automation. Led by AgCentric and CASE with Minnesota college partners, the curriculum introduces core automation and robotics concepts across animal, plant, and food systems, culminating in an open-ended design project that can be implemented flexibly to meet local needs.

Save the Date August 4-6, 2026 for the Empower{MN:CS} 2026 Conference!  Join us for an exciting 3-day computer science professional development! Along with the workshops, there will be whole group events for participants to connect with other educators and organizations working to expanding computer science education across the state. Workshops will be announced in spring 2026, but will include options for all grade levels and experience levels.

Join us August 3-6, 2026 for the Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas (MTTIA) Conference. MTTIA is more than a conference—it’s a community. Join secondary and post-secondary educators from across the Midwest for hands-on training, networking, and professional development. Learn the latest in vehicle technology and teaching strategies from expert trainers and OE manufacturers. Earn 20 CEUs! 

Save the date for the AI Unleashed Educator Forum on February 11, 2026 at the Southeast Service Cooperative!  Explore the power of AI in education alongside engaging sessions on computer science, math, science, and integrated STEM and technology learning. Registration information coming soon!

Mark your calendar for Tech Fest at the Works Museum on February 21, 2026. This annual family event celebrate engineering and technology! Registration information coming soon! 

Make sure to check out the Insider Science Tour series at the Science Museum. It features topics including Exhibit Fabrication, Biology, Paleontology, Anthropology, and there is even one featuring all of the unique collections housed at the Science Museum. 

Looking for MORE STEM?
Check out these calendars with our learning partners.