Community STEM Night Shines a Light on Watertown’s Future

The 2nd Annual STEM Night at the Watertown Middle School was a resounding success, drawing hundreds of families for an evening filled with curiosity, creativity, and connection. From the moment doors opened, the building buzzed with energy as students, parents, educators, and community members came together to explore the wide range of STEM opportunities available across Watertown and its public schools.

This year’s event embraced a forward-looking theme, highlighting not only what students can learn today, but where those experiences can take them tomorrow. Exhibits spanned an impressive range of fields - from robotics, computer science and programming to horticulture, renewable energy, building engineering, life sciences, chemistry, medical assisting, and video technology. Each station offered a glimpse into both classroom learning and the real-world careers these pathways can lead to. The message was clear: STEM is not one path, but many - and there is space for every interest and curiosity within it.

Watertown High School students played a central role in bringing STEM to life. Chemistry students, outfitted in lab coats and goggles, wowed attendees with their “elephant toothpaste” experiment while sharing insights into their coursework. Career and Technical Education students in the medical assisting program welcomed visitors to have their vitals checked, offering a glimpse into the hands-on, real-world training they receive and the wide range of healthcare careers available. Meanwhile, students in the film and television program documented the evening - conducting interviews with organizers, exhibitors, and attendees - while also highlighting the storytelling and technical skills their program develops. Culinary students showcased their skills with an impressive menu of light bites and appetizers enjoyed by all.

Community partners and local organizations added another layer of depth and connection. CoLAB, a nonprofit dedicated to linking life science professionals with educators and students, shared information about mentorship and job shadowing opportunities that help bridge the gap between school and industry. The Watertown Free Public Library and Hatch Makerspace demonstrated the accessibility of cutting-edge tools and technology right in the community, from 3D printing and laser cutting to vinyl design and introductory programming workshops. Watertown’s Energy Advocate, through Resilient Watertown, encouraged attendees to think about sustainability in their daily lives while promoting the upcoming ECO Fest and broader environmental initiatives.

Local industry leaders also played an important role in illustrating the real-world impact of STEM fields. Representatives from Addgene and Enanta Pharmaceuticals spoke with families about their work in the life sciences sector, offering insight into the types of careers available locally and the innovative research happening right in Watertown. Professionals from Ai3 Architects and Vertex provided a deeper look into the design and construction of the new Watertown High School, sharing how the building is setting a national standard as the first high school in the United States to achieve both LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy status. These conversations helped connect the dots between education, industry, and the future of the community.

Three dynamic panel discussions in the auditorium offered attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into key topics shaping Watertown’s STEM landscape. Sam Ghilardi of Watertown Bio provided a comprehensive overview of the life science companies currently operating in Watertown, the work they are doing, and the available lab and development space. He discussed permits for future projects, how Watertown compares to other regional hubs, such as Boston and Cambridge, and shared some of the challenges facing the industry. Importantly, he highlighted the significant community benefits tied to this growth, including funding that supports school projects and contributes to parks and green space.

A second panel focused on the school’s innovative Freight Farm initiative. Elizabeth Kaplan, Watertown’s K-8 Math Coordinator, K-5 Science Coordinator and Farm to School Coordinator and Evan Nabel, Watertown High School’s Watertown Harvests Farm Teacher, walked attendees through the multi-year process of bringing the project to life, from initial concept to curriculum integration. Today, the Freight Farm produces 1,000 heads of lettuce each week, supplying fresh greens to school cafeterias and contributing to the Watertown Community Fridge. Panelists also discussed plans to expand crop variety, deepen community partnerships, and create potential internship opportunities for students through community gardening - demonstrating how sustainability and education can intersect in meaningful, measurable ways.

A third panel highlighted the impact of a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, awarded to Watertown High School’s Career and Technical Education Department. This initiative supports career awareness and exploration in clean energy and climate-focused fields through a combination of events, curriculum enhancements, and hands-on learning opportunities. Panelists included Jason Welch, the Pre-Engineering Teacher at  Watertown High School, Edwin Marrero, the Invention Education Manager at Lemelson-MIT, Magda Lelek, an energy consultant who has been working with Ai3 on WPS projects, Janel Granum the Program Director for Student and Young Adult initiatives at MassCEC, and Katie Segal the Senior Director of Offshore Wind at Environmental League of MA. They shared how the grant is enabling new coursework, supporting a High-Performance Building Innovation Club, and connecting students with real-world applications through field trips and project-based learning. The program also strengthens relationships with employers in climate-critical sectors, helping students better understand - and prepare for - the careers that will shape the future.

Throughout the evening, a common thread emerged: collaboration. STEM Night is not just a showcase of programs, but a reflection of what’s possible when schools, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations come together with a shared purpose. The Watertown Business Coalition extends its sincere gratitude to the exhibitors, panelists, and Watertown Public Schools for their partnership, as well as to the many students whose enthusiasm and participation brought the event to life.

Special thanks also go to media partners Little Local Conversations for producing a STEM Night event highlight podcast episode, Watertown Cable Access Corp. for their support in both planning and filming the event, and Castillo Holiday Films for capturing the energy of the night in a dynamic highlight reel. Their efforts ensure that the impact of STEM Night extends well beyond a single evening.

If this year’s event is any indication, the future of STEM in Watertown is bright—and only getting brighter. With continued investment in education, strong community partnerships, and a clear focus on preparing students for the opportunities ahead, Watertown is building a model for what STEM engagement can look like at the local level.

And with next year’s event set to take place at the new Watertown High School, there’s already excitement building for what’s to come. Is it too early to say we can’t wait?!