From the Host of the Leadership Symposium
Systemic inequities continue to block our path to ensuring every student—regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, or socioeconomic status—has access to high-quality STEM education.
From biases in teaching practices to resource disparities and fragmented collaboration between educators and leaders, these barriers prevent us from building inclusive and equitable learning ecosystems.
The STEM for ALL Leadership Symposium is your opportunity to confront these challenges head-on. Together, we’ll dismantle systemic inequities, rebuild with justice-driven strategies, and create a cohesive Action Plan 4 Justice that makes STEM for ALL, #4Real.
San Diego Marriott Del Mar
11966 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
Day 1: Friday, November 14th, 2025
Day 2: Saturday, November 15th, 2025
Breakout sessions include:
The STEM for ALL Leadership Symposium is more than just an event—it's the start of a movement. We're providing you with the tools, strategies, and community to connect, create, and cultivate change in your STEM classrooms and beyond. This is your opportunity to dive deep into the work, build meaningful relationships, and develop actionable plans for justice in STEM education. Don’t miss out!
At the STEM for ALL Leadership Symposium, we’ve crafted a simple yet powerful framework designed to guide you in creating lasting change in STEM education. Based on our National Bestselling Book, STEM for ALL, our approach is built around three core principles: Connect, Create, and Cultivate. These principles are woven throughout every aspect of our event, ensuring you not only gain knowledge but also build a strong community, develop actionable plans, and leave empowered to make a difference.
The STEM for ALL Leadership Symposium is thoughtfully structured to maximize engagement, collaboration, and actionable outcomes at all levels of education, breaking down the walls between us.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Keynotes to Inspire: Each day begins with a dynamic keynote address, setting the tone for transformative learning and action. Be inspired by visionary leaders in STEM education who will challenge and motivate you to think beyond traditional boundaries.
Interactive Strands: Dive into focused learning with two distinct strands tailored to your role and interests:
Job-Alike Sessions: Connect with fellow teachers, coaches, and administrators in collaborative sessions that foster meaningful conversations and shared experiences.
3D5E Lesson Planning and Instruction: Dive into hands-on workshops to design NGSS-aligned lessons and activities that you can immediately implement, while exploring strategies to elevate classroom practices for effective STEM instruction for all.
Systemic Issues and Leadership: Address big-picture challenges, including tracking, special education, counseling practices, and systemic barriers, while exploring frameworks for driving meaningful, equitable change in STEM pathways for all.
Squad Sessions for Cross-Pollination: Break down silos and spark innovation through our unique squad sessions. These collaborative gatherings bring participants from both strands together, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
Science with a #4Real Scientist Dinner Event: Last year, this was a VIP only event and this year it is open to ALL! Celebrate the power of diversity in STEM during an exclusive dinner event featuring diverse scientists who are making a real-world impact. This inspiring evening combines networking, storytelling, and a shared passion for science.
Culminating Action Planning Session: Wrap up the symposium by turning your learning into action. Work alongside your squad and facilitators to create your personalized STEM for ALL Action Plan, equipping you to implement change in your school, district, or organization.
In a world where many organizations are running from or limiting DEI efforts, we are embracing them. By following the framework we’ve laid out, you’ll step into a future where you no longer feel the need to check your identity at the door. You’ll lead with authenticity, knowing that your actions reflect a commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice.
Imagine this: you’re no longer just attending another event—you’re part of a powerful, like-minded community, where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. You’ll be equipped with practical tools and strategies to dismantle biases and create inclusive spaces in your classroom, school, or district.
The work you do will go beyond just today’s symposium. It will be a sustained, ongoing effort to challenge inequities and ensure that all students, especially those from marginalized communities, have access to STEM opportunities that reflect their potential. With every action, you’ll feel supported, confident, and ready to make meaningful change in STEM education—today and for generations to come.
This is more than just an event. It’s a movement. And with this movement, you’ll be at the forefront, reshaping STEM education for all.
We’re excited to offer you three tailored ticket options to make your experience at the STEM for ALL Leadership Symposium even more impactful. No matter which option you choose, you’ll be part of a community committed to transforming STEM education through inclusive leadership and pedagogy. Here’s how you can get involved:
Your ticket to the full STEM for ALL experience! As a General Admission attendee, you’ll have access to:
This option is perfect for those ready to dive into the heart of the event and connect with others passionate about inclusive STEM education.
Step into the VIP experience and take your participation to the next level. As a VIP, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of General Admission, plus exclusive perks designed to enhance your experience:
This option is ideal for those who want to build deeper connections, gain priority access, and enjoy a higher level of engagement throughout the symposium.
For those who want to make this experience even more seamless and enriching, our Comprehensive Package includes everything in the VIP ticket, plus:
This all-inclusive package is for those who want a comprehensive, stress-free experience while maximizing the impact of the symposium with follow-up support to ensure you make lasting change in your professional practice.
We've secured a discounted rate for symposium attendees at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar.
Booking deadline: October 23, 2025
Each option is designed to support your unique needs and aspirations as you commit to creating more inclusive, equitable, and justice-centered STEM spaces. Choose the experience that’s right for you, and let’s shape the future of STEM education—together. This is a unique opportunity to have real conversations that knock down the walls between teachers, coaches and administrators.
We understand that the investment may seem significant at first glance, but let’s put it into perspective. Compared to traditional professional development options, the cost of attending this symposium is quite reasonable. Traditional conferences are often large-scale events where you're just another face in the crowd, with limited opportunities to engage deeply with presenters or peers. You’ll often find that you’re still trying to connect the dots on your own afterward.
What we’re offering is different. This isn’t just another conference. We’ve carefully curated an intimate, collaborative environment limited to less than 100 people, ensuring that you have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and receive comprehensive professional learning. With presenters, keynotes, and facilitators who are experts in their field, you’ll gain actionable insights that will immediately benefit your practice, #4Real!
By attending, you’re investing in high-quality, personalized learning and a deep, transformative experience that you just can’t get anywhere else.
We understand that professional development requires an investment. To help you get the support you need, we’ve prepared a Justification Letter that you can present to your school or organization.
Download the Letter:
Cost: When you compare the value of this intimate, hands-on experience to traditional conferences, this is an investment in your personal and professional growth that will pay dividends in the classroom and beyond.
Substitute Days: You’re only missing one day—just one day to step away from your routine and focus on actionable strategies that will directly impact your work with students. While we understand it can be challenging to miss school, we’ve made a change from last year, where educators had to miss two days. Now, you can make a big impact with just one day away.
Relevance: This isn’t just another event—it’s a focused, intentional space where you’ll engage in real, transformative learning about equity, inclusion, and justice in STEM —knowledge that is directly applicable to the classrooms of today.
Impact: As a mother, this work is deeply personal to me. We are creating an experience that empowers us all to increase our impact and shape an education system that serves every child, including our own.
We’ve designed this experience to maximize impact with minimal disruption. Let us help you elevate your practice without missing a beat.
The reality is, despite the many great conferences out there, none of them address the systemic issues of antiracism and antibias in STEM education.
As an educator, coach, or leader, you might feel like you’re constantly checking your identity at the door—unable to fully bring your authentic self into your work. The frustration of navigating a professional world that doesn't prioritize social justice or equity can be overwhelming.
You’re looking for more than just another event; you’re searching for a community of like-minded educators ready to tackle these issues head-on. You want to engage in leadership and pedagogy that is justice-centered, inclusive, and actionable, all while making a lasting impact on students.
The STEM for ALL Leadership Symposium is the space you've been waiting for—a place where we can embrace our true selves, wear our crowns, share our stories, honor the wisdom of our ancestors, and dive deep into antiracism and equity in STEM. Together, we’ll create action plans and help you reconnect with your purpose.
By taking us up on this offer, you’ll avoid the challenge of attending conferences that may not fully address the systemic issues of bias and inequity in STEM. This isn’t just another conference—it’s a movement. We are carefully curating a space where diverse voices from different races, religions, abilities, and backgrounds are at the forefront. By attending, you’ll contribute to this powerful collective, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and valued. Your unique experiences and insights are vital to creating a truly inclusive and transformative STEM education landscape.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a community that’s actively working to dismantle barriers and elevate marginalized voices in STEM. We need you in the room to make this work a reality for all.
Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean is the founder of STEM4Real, a nonprofit professional learning organization committed to combining STEM and NGSS content learning with principles of justice-centered teaching methods and leadership. She has worked as an adjunct professor of teaching methods and Universal Design for Learning at UC Berkeley and Claremont Graduate University. She served on the CASE Board of Directors and currently serves as the Director of Multicultural Education for the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Dr. McLean is a sought-after international speaker, global consultant, and advisor to schools, districts, charter schools, and nonprofit organizations. She is a former district and county level administrator and mathematics, science and health teacher. She leads research on the intersection of Equity and Science/STEM education and how we can create access and opportunities for each student regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status. She is the author of the children’s book, “There’s Something in the Water” and her newest book, “STEM for All: How to Connect, Create, and Cultivate STEM Education for All Learners”.
”