October 2026
Between school projects, classroom activities, and everything happening during the fall, there’s plenty for students to stay engaged with. The STEM holidays and observances this month can give educators and parents timely topics to bring into lessons, activities, or conversations.
Manufacturing Day
Take a look at what goes into making the products you use every day, from the machines on a factory floor to the people designing and improving them. Manufacturing brings together engineering, technology, robotics, materials science, and problem-solving to turn ideas into real things.
World Space Week
Look up and explore the science, technology, and discoveries that have helped us understand space. From satellites and rockets to planets and distant galaxies, there’s a lot more to space exploration than just what you can see through a telescope.
World Habitat Day
Think about what makes a place safe, sustainable, and livable for the people and animals who call it home. STEM helps us design better buildings, understand ecosystems, plan communities, and find smarter ways to use the resources around us.
National Metric Day
Take a closer look at the measurement system used by scientists, engineers, and much of the world. Learning how metric units work gives you a common language for measuring everything from distance and mass to temperature and volume.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Learn about the knowledge, discoveries, and scientific practices developed by Indigenous peoples over generations. From astronomy and environmental knowledge to agriculture and engineering, Indigenous communities have contributed valuable ways of understanding and working with the world around us.
Ada Lovelace Day
Meet one of the people often recognized as a pioneer of computer programming. Ada Lovelace’s work with Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine helped lay early groundwork for the idea that machines could be used to process more than just numbers.
National Fossil Day
Ever wonder what a fossil can tell us about life that existed millions of years ago? Paleontology uses fossils, geology, and other scientific tools to piece together Earth’s history and understand how life has changed over time.
National Chemistry Week
Take a closer look at the chemistry happening all around you, from the food you eat to the materials in the things you use every day. It’s a chance to see how chemistry helps explain what things are made of and how they change.
Nuclear Science Week
Explore the science behind nuclear energy, radiation, medicine, and other technologies that use the power of the atom. It’s a chance to see how physics and engineering are used in ways that affect everyday life.
World CRISPR Day
CRISPR is a powerful gene-editing technology that has changed how scientists study DNA and genetics. Explore how researchers use it to investigate genes and better understand what’s possible in modern biology and biotechnology.
Back to the Future Day
Remember the future Marty McFly traveled to in Back to the Future Part II? The day is a fun excuse to compare the movie’s predictions with the real technology we have today, from wearable tech and transportation to communication and entertainment.
National Mole Day
If you’ve ever wondered why chemists talk about a “mole,” this is your day to find out. The mole is a key unit in chemistry that helps scientists count incredibly tiny particles, making it possible to work with atoms and molecules in the real world.
