Volunteers from Cox Communications help each other assemble
STEM for All Kits. (Photography by Katherine Nicole)
Access to hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) has been uneven for many students across Arizona, particularly in rural and historically underserved communities.
But a solution is now available through a program launched by SciTech Institute, a collaborative initiative of the Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority.
STEM for All Kits was created to help address the gap by delivering high-quality, ready-to-use STEM experiences directly to students and communities at no cost. Activities emphasize engineering, applied science and problem-solving, allowing students to engage in meaningful, tactile learning experiences without relying on additional classroom resources.
“Each kit is intentionally designed to give students a complete STEM experience from start to finish,” says Ciara Ware, SciTech Institute’s STEM for All Kits coordinator. “The activities encourage students to think critically, work through challenges and see how STEM concepts apply to real-world problems.”
Individual kits are designed with a specific STEM theme and include three to four hands-on activities, with all necessary materials included. Kits are distributed statewide to schools, afterschool programs and community-based organizations, ensuring students encounter STEM learning in multiple environments.
Volunteer engagement also plays an important role in expanding the program’s reach. Corporate partners like Cox Communications support kit assembly events that help scale production while connecting volunteers directly to the program’s impact. Once assembled, kits are shipped across Arizona and integrated into classroom instruction and enrichment programming.
The program is made possible through strong philanthropic and corporate partnerships, including Avnet, Arizona PBS and Flinn Foundation. Together, these partners support the cost of materials, assembly and statewide distribution, helping the program make an even greater impact.
Looking ahead, SciTech Institute is focused on expanding access even further. In 2026, the program plans to introduce Spanish-language STEM for All Kits, increasing accessibility for students and families whose primary language is Spanish and better reflecting the communities the program serves.
No matter the language, all kits reflect the broader role of SciTech Institute as the backbone organization of Arizona’s STEM ecosystem: bringing partners together, aligning resources and prioritizing equitable access to learning opportunities.
As demand for STEM skills continues to grow, programs like STEM for All Kits help ensure all students, regardless of location or circumstance, have the opportunity to engage with STEM in meaningful and practical ways.
To learn more about the STEM for All Kits program — including how to volunteer at a STEM for All Kits packing party — please visit https://scitechinstitute.org/stem-for-all-kits/.
