Two hundred years ago, a young woman sat by a fire on a stormy night and imagined a scientist who would bring life to his own creation. That moment of imagination gave the world Frankenstein — and introduced a whole new way of thinking about science, ethics, and human possibility. The author was Mary Shelley, […]

Mark Your Calendar: Harlem STEM Up’s 2025 STEM Day Returns to the Harlem YMCA! We’re counting down to one of our favorite days of the year—and this year, it’s going to be bigger than ever. Harlem STEM Up is thrilled to announce that our 2025 Annual STEM Event will take place on Saturday, November 8,

STEM learning doesn’t always come from textbooks, labs, or expensive programs. Sometimes, it starts with a simple question—honest, curious, and full of wonder. For families who may not have access to formal STEM opportunities, your child’s greatest tool is already built in—their ability to ask, observe, and imagine. Here are six powerful ways families can

Family game night isn’t just fun—it’s a hidden STEM lab right in your living room. Rolling dice, solving puzzles, or battling it out in strategy games gives kids (and us adults) hands-on practice with logic, problem-solving, math, and more. Here’s how game night builds essential science, technology, engineering, and math skills—without feeling like homework. 1.

Science and math are everywhere—but sometimes, we forget to look beyond textbooks and test prep. For many families, culture and creativity are central to daily life. Whether it’s the beat of a drum, the rhythm of a dance, or the power of a story passed down through generations, these cultural practices hold rich opportunities for

When parents hear “STEM learning,” many picture robotics clubs, coding classes, or lab kits. But one of the most powerful STEM classrooms is right in your own home. From cooking dinner to bedtime stories, your daily routines are already giving your child essential skills for science, technology, engineering, and math—often without you even realizing it.

On July 20, 1969, something extraordinary happened. More than 600 million people around the world watched as astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first steps onto the surface of the Moon and delivered the now-famous words: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” But behind that “giant leap” were thousands of

When we talk about giving kids the tools they need to succeed in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—we often think about laptops, lab kits, or access to advanced classes. But one of the most powerful tools we can give them isn’t something you can buy. It’s time and space to play. That’s where the idea

At Harlem STEM Up, we believe the most powerful STEM learning often happens away from desks and devices. It happens in backyards and playgrounds, in parks and kitchens, during downtime and daydreams. Especially during the summer months, when schedules loosen and school is out, play becomes one of the most effective and accessible tools for

A guide to opportunity, access, and action—no matter your budget If you’ve got an eighth grader in your life who loves math, science, tech, or problem-solving, you’ve probably heard about NYC’s specialized high schools—maybe even a school like Bronx Science or Stuyvesant. But how do students get into these top schools? And more importantly, how