STEM Together Named an Excellence Finalist at the 2026 U.S.A Youth Leadership Summit
- stemtogetherma
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
On April 18, 2026, the Helen Marshall Cultural Center in Queens, New York hosted the 2026 U.S.A Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) — a national stage for the country's most impactful high-school-led organizations. Ten finalist organizations, selected from a competitive national applicant pool, gathered to share their missions, their work, and their visions for the future.
STEM Together, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded and led by Sharon, represented the Greater Boston student community at the Summit and was honored as an Excellence Finalist — one of the most recognized youth organizations of the day.
On the YLS Stage
Hosted by InGenius Prep, YLS brings together former admissions officers, Ivy+ alumni, leading nonprofit founders, and major media partners to support and amplify the work of exceptional high-school student leaders.
Presenting third among the ten finalist organizations, Sharon opened with the founding story of STEM Together — a belief that every child deserves an accessible, hands-on entry point into STEM — and walked the audience through two years of growth, from the organization's earliest community workshops to the creation and scaling of its flagship Boston Makers & Innovators Challenge (BMIC).
“STEM education is more than science. It is a pathway for students to grow, lead, and face the world.” — Sharon, Founder, STEM Together
The five-minute presentation paired hard numbers with the human side of STEM Together's work: the first time a child completes a 3D-printed project, the focus on the faces of students in a workshop designed for special needs learners, thank-you notes from parents, and the educators who return season after season.
Two Years of Impact, by the Numbers
Founded in 2024 and run 100% by students in the Greater Boston area, STEM Together has, in two years:
● Engaged 300+ K-8 students across 100+ schools
● Reached 500+ total participants and partnered with 30+ science teachers
● Raised $30,000+ to sustain free and community-facing programs
● Delivered 10+ workshops spanning 5+ disciplines — mechanical engineering, neuroscience, coding, 3D printing, and AI
● Grown its flagship Boston Makers & Innovators Challenge (BMIC) into one of the most recognized youth STEM events in the Boston region
The organization's work has been formally recognized with a letter from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a video message from the Mayor of Newton, and partnerships with Fidelity Charitable, the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation, NeuroMaker STEM, and 20+ community and corporate sponsors.
“Your dedication to STEM and innovative ideas are truly inspiring.” — Elizabeth Warren, United States Senator
A Mission Built on Access, Not Just Achievement
Throughout her presentation, Sharon framed STEM Together not as a competition program, but as an access program — one focused on widening the front door to STEM, especially for students who might otherwise be left outside it.
Tech for Good. STEM Together designs its challenges around real-world problems — from mobility safety for seniors to more inclusive classroom learning — so that young students learn to ask not only what they can build, but who it might help.
Inclusivity. Dedicated workshops for students with special needs ensure that every learner, regardless of starting point, can find a place in STEM.
Community. From a Shadow Puppet Show and STEM workshop at the Boston Children's Museum to performances at the Wellesley and Brookline libraries, STEM Together has embedded itself in the cultural life of its region.
Leadership Pipeline. Through its emerging Student Ambassador Program, K-8 students — guided by high-school leaders — are beginning to take on leadership roles of their own. Leadership, in STEM Together's view, shouldn't wait until high school to begin.
At the Booth, at the Mic, and on Camera
Following her presentation, STEM Together's booth drew a steady stream of visitors — parents, students, educators, nonprofit leaders, former admissions officers, and media. School representatives and community partners stopped by to ask how BMIC might be adapted to their own communities, with several conversations beginning on the spot.
During the awards portion of the day, the judging panel recognized STEM Together as an Excellence Finalist — a mark of its clarity of mission, strength of execution, and measurable impact over the past two years.
Sharon also sat for an on-site interview with the Summit's media partners, discussing the story behind STEM Together, the role of student leadership in shaping community outcomes, and the road ahead.
Looking Ahead: BMIC 2027
The Summit was a milestone, not a finish line. Closing her presentation, Sharon laid out STEM Together's next chapter:
● Expanding the Inclusivity programs to serve more students with special needs
● Scaling the Student Ambassador Program into a full leadership pipeline for K-8 students
● Deepening long-term partnerships with community institutions, libraries, and museums
● Launching BMIC 2027 — larger in scale, broader in disciplines, deeper in community reach
“We believe in our unlimited potential to bring STEM to every student and community.” — STEM Together Team
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