Future on Display at Discover STEM 2025
ACTON — Robot ring-toss, AI demos and hands-on tech drew more than 500 students and families to DiscoverSTEM 2025 at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School on Friday, November 7, for a career exploration night.
Hosted by AB STEAM, DiscoverSTEM featured 48 exhibitors including tech companies, university research labs, industry experts, non-profits and student robotics teams who demonstrated innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). Designed like a professional trade show with a twist—the expo paired student volunteers with engineers and scientists who guided and mentored them. The student volunteers then helped explain the technology to attendees.
Long lines formed around demonstrations in artificial intelligence, environmental science, sustainability, biotechnology and medical innovation, while a custom-built robot rolled back and forth as students played a lively game of ring toss, cheering every successful throw. The youngest exhibitor, 5-year-old Spot, the Boston Dynamics robotic dog, fetched, bowed and danced on command while the oldest exhibitor, 94-year-old, Jack Herther, Space Pioneer, entranced visitors with tales of the cosmos.
First launched in 2005 as a biennial event, and paused during the pandemic, DiscoverSTEM returned this year with fresh momentum. Attendance was up; crowds were engaged; the mood was upbeat.
“I've only seen robotic dogs online,” said one young attendee. “Tonight, I got to see one live.”
Photo by Gary Kappel
Local Acton STEAM connections included Joe Jones, robotics engineer turned author, who recently published, Dancing with Roomba, Cracking the Robot Riddle and Building an Icon, and Sam Gould, President of Open Door Theater and Co-founder of Outside the VOX, who demonstrated how technology makes theater more accessible.
Industry-leading tech exhibitors showcased computing innovations and software designs from Qualcomm and SolidWorks/Dassault Systems while the Acton Lions Club exhibited eye care and eye research with their District 33 “Eye Mobile” inspired by Helen Keller 100 years ago.
Northern Bank made financial literacy fun with trivia and games; Minuteman Voc Tech advocated high school STEM programs; Nashoba Air & Boilerworks highlighted trade connections; Lighthouse Treeworks brought a model of the “Big Bird Bench” which will be installed in Kelley’s Corner; and local community members working in several Biotech/Pharma Industries set up an exhibit that “Explored the Biotech World.”
Professionals from Biotech/Pharma Industries introduced biotechnology to the audience at DiscoverSTEM 2025.
Remaining photos by J. M. Ward
Other displays ranged from eye-tracking and facial-recognition software from iMotions to the “science of induction cooking” with smore’s samples from Mothers Out Front Acton and the “physics of driving” by AB Drive In Control. Sustainability exhibits included green-energy prototypes, electric leaf blowers, advances in water testing from the Acton Water Department, demos of Acton Ford’s E-V vehicles, innovations in bicycle technology from Pedal Power & Ski of Acton and ways to measure energy efficiency using infrared technology from EnergizeActon.org. iMotions demo of Affectiva Software for facial expression analysis (in photo below) was one of many exhibits that wowed the audience!
“That was a phenomenal event! Great exhibitors, varied companies for students with different interests. A+” said attendee Andy Heiniluoma, while others asked, “When is the next one?” The answer: November 2027.
The hosts from AB STEAM fully acknowledge, “It takes a village to put on DiscoverSTEM!” This community-powered event is supported by volunteers, the Acton-Boxborough School District, AB Community Education and our Boston-area business and community partners and sponsors.
Special thanks to DiscoverSTEM PLATINUM Sponsors (Qualcomm, Solidworks, Acton Ford, Northern Bank, Acton Lions Club, Huntington Learning Center of Acton), GOLD Sponsors (Acanthi, ActonTV, Boston Bijoux, C0deEx, Market Dynamics, National Grid, Product Insight), SILVER Sponsors (Cottage Street Advisors, Drive In Control, Hansen Auto Body Acton, Happy Lilliput, Herther Family STEM, KUKSI Foods, Ruchi Misra Realtor, NyproMold, Open Door Education, Pedal Power Bike & Ski, Sal’s Auto & Truck Repair, SPE Mold Technology) and contributors! Thank you to our local media and communication partners including ActonTV, The ActonExchange and Action Unlimited for featuring our DiscoverSTEM 2025 event, Ink Etc. for marketing materials and the UPS Store in Acton for copying services.
AB Steam is grateful for the food and hospitality vendors that fed over 200 DiscoverSTEM exhibitors and volunteers including local grocery markets (Idylwilde Farm, Roche Bros, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, Assabet Market Co-op) and AB restaurants and eateries (Bethencourt Bakehouse, DiCapri Pizzeria, Dunkin’ -The Pesce Network, KUKSI Foods, Eve & Murray’s Farm to Table, NYAJ, Oscar’s Burritos).
Stay tuned for the DiscoverSTEM Silent Auction benefitting High School STEAM Clubs in early 2026 at www.absteam.org with amazing local items donated for DiscoverSTEM 2025 by Boston Bijoux, C0dEx, Discovery Museum, Fourth & Field, Kitchen Outfitters, Huntington Learning Center, Acton Pharmacy, Silver Unicorn, EcoQuiet Lawn Care, AB Community Education, KUKSI Foods, Pedal Power Bike & Ski, KUKSI Foods, Wax & Scent, author Noah Giansiracusa and many more!
Visit absteam.org/discoverstem for event details, photos and video recaps, and a complete list of DiscoverSTEM 2025 exhibits, sponsors, supporters and contributors!
Dawn Peterson (in photo) welcomed visitors to DiscoverSTEM 2025.
AB STEAM www.absteam.org, formerly AB PIP STEM, just turned 25 and relaunched as a non-profit, providing FREE Science, Technology, Enginnering, Art and Science educational events to students, families and the community in Acton and Boxborough Massachusetts.
