October 18, 2025
Inaugural Lower Shore STEM Festival Event
This landmark event took place at Salisbury University on October 18, 2025, showcasing 15 – 20 interactive booths focused on various STEM topics. Attendees had the chance to meet former astronaut Don Thomas and see a performance about the Science of Sorcery from magician Dave Thomen.
October 19, 2024
Maryland STEM Festival Celebrates 10 years!
Celebrating a decade of innovation, the 2024 Maryland STEM Festival officially kicked off its 10th annual state-wide celebration at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The opening ceremony featured leading STEM booths and keynote speakers, centering around the theme Engineering: Idea to Reality. The Festival also received a proclamation from the Maryland General Assembly in recognition of our efforts to bring STEM to all Marylanders.
Fall 2024
Maryland STEM Festival Expands to Washington DC
In the fall of 2024, the festival officially expanded into the nation’s capital. The Festival partnered with many D.C. organizations including Capitol City Robotics, the National Building Museum, and Because Science significantly broadening the festival’s community outreach and impact.
Winter 2022
Expanding Community Support & Giving Back
Deepening its commitment to community outreach, the organization expanded its impact by supporting Maryland families in need. The initiative donated over 100 shirts to the Student Homeless Initiative Project in Frederick and provided free STEM kits and books to over 20 elementary schools across the state.
November 2022
Inaugural Middle School STEM Professional Match
In 2022, the Festival launched the Middle School STEM Professional Match Program, which connects STEM professionals with middle school students to discuss their careers, educational journeys, and the many opportunities available in STEM fields. For many students, these presentations provide their first opportunity to meet and interact with a STEM professional. The flagship school for the program is Annapolis Middle School, where the Festival recruits enough volunteers to ensure that every one of the school’s approximately 1,000 students meets a STEM professional.
2020
Adapting to A Virtual Festival
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread event cancellations, the festival successfully transitioned to a fully virtual format. This adaptability ensured that students, families, and educators across Maryland could safely access quality STEM programming. The virtual tools developed during this time continue to shape hybrid outreach efforts today.
2019
Launching the Student Ambassador Program
The festival introduced its Student Ambassador Program to directly engage middle and high school students across the state. Ambassadors help promote events by distributing promotional materials and hosting information tables. They also volunteer at Festival-sponsored events and assist partner organizations with their activities. In addition to serving their communities, ambassadors develop valuable leadership, communication, and organizational skills while making lasting connections with other students who share an interest in STEM.
June 8, 2018
Launch of the “Fun With Maryland STEM Festival” Podcast
The festival expanded its digital reach with the premiere of its official podcast. The inaugural episode featured founder Phil Rogofsky and his son, Noah, sharing the personal story and passion for STEM that led to the creation of the Maryland STEM Festival. The series spotlights interviews with students and professionals doing exciting, creative work across the STEM fields.
December, 2017 – July 2018
Becoming an Independent Nonprofit
To support its rapid growth, the festival leadership concluded that becoming an independent nonprofit organization would provide greater autonomy and a better position for long-term success. Therefore, Maryland STEM Festival filed for nonprofit status. The organization officially incorporated as a Maryland 501(c)(3) in December 2017 and received federal tax-exempt status from the IRS in July 2018. The 2018 season also marked the introduction of annual festival themes, beginning with agriculture
November 6, 2017
Inaugural Blue-Collar STEM Festival Conference and Job Fair
Held in Baltimore at the B & O Railroad Musuem, this groundbreaking conference championed “blue-collar STEM”—vital technical careers that don’t require a four-year degree. The event featured expert panel discussions and a career fair, connecting high school students, teachers, and counselors with high-demand technical career paths to address industry workforce shortages.
Novemeber 4, 2015
Inaugural Blue-Collar STEM Festival Conference and Job Fair
After more than a year of preparation, the first official Maryland STEM Festival was held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The opening ceremony featured guest speakers, technology demonstrations, and participation from prominent community leaders. The first Maryland STEM Festival included several hundred free events held throughout Baltimore City and nearly every county in Maryland. The Festival’s broad geographic reach and diverse programming established it as one of the nation’s largest statewide STEM festivals.
April 2014
Vision for A Statewide Impact
In April 2014, Phil Rogofsky attended the USA Science & Engineering Festival, where he participated in a workshop on Regional Science and STEM Festivals. This inspired Phil to pursue a multi-day, statewide event for Maryland. Phil began discussions with local leaders who expressed strong interest in helping launch the initiative. These leaders included Renee Cohen from U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin’s office, Cindy Hasselbring from the Maryland State Department of Education, and Tara Ebersole from the Community College of Baltimore County. A dedicated planning committee formed shortly after to turn the statewide vision into reality.
June 2013
Inaugural Howard County STEM Festival
In late 2012, a planning committee was formed that included David Gertler, Francis Turner of Howard Community College (HCC), Joel Goodman of the Howard Astronomical League, and Melvin Smith. The committee planned the inaugural HoCo STEM Festival which was held at Howard Community College in June 2013 and attracted more than 1,000 attendees. Encouraged by its success, the committee immediately began planning the second HoCo STEM Festival. During this time, the Festival worked under the guidance of Bill Duncan and STEMAction which operates FIRST robotic conditions
April 2012
Wilde Lake Middle School STEM Festival
Phil and Noah presented the idea of a STEM Festival to the principal at Wilde Lake Middle School, who enthusiastically supported the concept. Their vision became a reality in April 2012 when the first Wilde Lake STEM Festival was held. The event was a great success, and several attendees remarked that a countywide STEM festival would benefit many more students and families.
October 23, 2010
The Spark of Inspiration
The idea for Maryland STEM Festival was born when founder, Phil Rogofsky and his son, Noah, attended the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. As they explored the Festival together, Phil and Noah were amazed by the quality, creativity, and diversity of the exhibits and activities. On the drive home, Noah suggested organizing a similar—though much smaller—event at his school, Wilde Lake Middle School in Columbia, Maryland.
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