December Youth STEM Opportunities: Your 2025 Tech Calendar for Brooklyn and Northern NJ

Sean

December Youth STEM Opportunities: Your 2025 Tech Calendar for Brooklyn and Northern NJ

For families trying to keep kids inspired (and off endless scroll) as the year winds down, December youth STEM opportunities are pure gold. This year, Brooklyn and Northern New Jersey are quietly stacking one of the most powerful winter tech lineups we’ve seen yet—free teen “third spaces,” STEM museum adventures, community makerspaces, and even a new digital math platform launching mid-month.

This isn’t just another list of events.
It’s a December tech calendar designed for Black and Brown families who want their kids to feel at home in tech spaces—not like visitors.

From Brooklyn Public Library’s Teen Tech Centers to Newark’s Zine Fest, from Liberty Science Center’s Holiday Adventure to the launch of Math Pathways on December 15, these December youth STEM opportunities are building skills, confidence, and community.

DateTimeEventLocationNotes
Mon, Dec 111:30 AMComputer BasicsBPL New Utrecht (1743 86th St)Digital skills for adults/parents
2:00 PMIntro to Cricut MakersBPL Macon (361 Lewis Ave)Creative tech + design
2:00 PMExcel BasicsBPL Stone Ave (581 Mother Gaston Blvd)Workforce readiness
3:30 PMTeen Tech TimeBPL Arlington (203 Arlington Ave)Gaming + open tech
Tue, Dec 21:00 PMNeighborhood Tech HelpBPL (multiple branches)Drop-in device support
4:00 PMTeen Tech TimeBPL Brower Park & McKinley ParkTeen tech hangout
Wed, Dec 311:00 AMComputer BasicsBPL Crown Heights Teen Tech CenterAdult refreshers
12:30 PMSmash Bros TournamentBPL Clarendon (2035 Nostrand Ave)Gaming + community
4:00 PMTeen Tech TimeBPL Central LibraryOpen lab + tech exploration
Thu, Dec 44:00 PMTeen Tech TimeBPL Marcy, Park Slope, Brooklyn HeightsTeen creative lab
8:30 AMBioNJ Inspiring STEM ConferencePlainsboro, NJ (Genmab)Older youth/early-career
Sat, Dec 611:00 AM–4:00 PMNewark Zine FestNewark Museum of ArtDigital art + indie publishing
11:00 AMShape, Rattle & RollNewark Museum of ArtEarly childhood STEM
Sat, Dec 131:00 PM–4:00 PMCelebramos Juntos la NavidadNewark Public Library (Main)Family event + digital resources
12:00 PM–5:00 PMWinter Wonderland Community DayNewark Museum of ArtMakerSpace STEM
Mon–Fri2:00–5:30 PMTeen Tech CentersBPL Crown Heights / Bay RidgeFree recording studios, 3D printing, coding
All MonthOngoingHoliday AdventureLiberty Science Center (Jersey City)Planetarium + science experiences
All MonthM/W 5–7 PM & Sat 12–3 PMDigital Access Food Hub HoursEast Ward Community Food HubSNAP tech support + data programs
Dec 15All DayMath Pathways LaunchOnlineNew digital math platform for families
Dec 1 Deadline—FREE STEM Fund GrantsOnline submissionFor orgs supporting women/nonbinary in STEM
Jan 4 Deadline—Marcy Lab School AppsOnlineSoftware Engineering + Data Fellowships
Feb 3 (Lookahead)—Bed-Stuy Free Tax Prep OpensBed-Stuy RestorationFinancial prep for STEM families

Why December Youth STEM Opportunities Matter Right Now

December can go one of two ways for young people:

For working parents and caregivers—especially in Black and Brown communities—December youth STEM opportunities are not just enrichment. They’re:

Older generations see something else too: a chance to give their kids what they never had—hands-on access to technology, mentors, and networks that can change life trajectories.

This December tech calendar is about more than dates. It’s about direction.

Brooklyn: Third Spaces, Teen Tech, and Workforce Skills in the Library

Brooklyn has quietly built one of the strongest public-library-based tech ecosystems in the country. Through programs like TechKnowledge and multiple Teen Tech Centers, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) offers everything from beginner computer skills to advanced multimedia production for local teens and families. (bklynlibrary.org)

This month, the December tech calendar in Brooklyn leans heavily into:

Early Week: Computer Basics and Digital Confidence

On Monday, December 1, BPL branches like New Utrecht, Stone Avenue, and others kick things off with foundational tech skills:

These classes quietly close the gap between “I’m not a computer person” and “I can apply for jobs, manage budgets, and support my kids online.”

When adults build digital confidence, kids notice.

Creative Tech: Cricut, Design, and Holiday Makers

Also on December 1, Intro to Cricut Makers at Macon turns tech into something tactile and joyful. Teens and parents can learn how to use digital cutting machines to create holiday cards, stickers, custom T-shirts, or even small side-hustle products.

For youth, this is more than crafting. It’s:

Teen Tech Time: Gaming, Social Connection, and Low-Pressure Tech

Throughout the week, you’ll see Teen Tech Time popping up across branches: Arlington, Brower Park, McKinley Park, Central, Marcy, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, and more.

These drop-in sessions usually include:

This may not look like STEM at first glance. But in reality:

For a lot of Black and Brown youth, Teen Tech Time is the on-ramp to more “serious” opportunities like coding bootcamps, internships, or design portfolios.

Teen Tech Centers: Everyday December Youth STEM Opportunities

BPL’s Teen Tech Centers (like the one at Crown Heights) serve as daily anchors. These spaces give teens access to: 

Open most weekdays from about 2:00–5:30 PM, they form the backbone of Brooklyn’s December youth STEM opportunities, especially for ages 13–18 who need a safe, creative space after school.

Northern New Jersey: Museums, STEM Festivals, and Community Data

Across the river, Northern New Jersey’s December tech calendar is just as packed—especially for families in and around Newark.

Here, the energy leans toward:

Dec 4 – BioNJ Inspiring STEM Conference (Plainsboro)

On Thursday, December 4, older students (college or near-college) and young professionals can tap into the broader NJ biotech and pharma ecosystem at BioNJ’s Inspiring STEM Conference in Plainsboro.

This is an ideal December youth STEM opportunity for:

Dec 6 – Newark Zine Fest: STEM Meets Storytelling

On Saturday, December 6, the Newark Zine Fest takes over the Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington St.) from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. (newarkmuseumart.org)

While this might sound more artsy than STEM at first, think again:

For teens into graphic design, manga, online fan culture, or activism, Newark Zine Fest is basically a live lab.

Early Childhood STEM: Shape, Rattle & Roll

That same day, Creative Play: Shape, Rattle & Roll at the Newark Museum of Art introduces smaller children to early STEM concepts:

Younger siblings get a STEM moment too, setting a foundation that older youth can build on later.

Holiday Community Days and Makerspaces

On Saturday, December 13, two big Newark events offer family-friendly entry points into science and creativity:

All Month – Liberty Science Center’s Holiday Adventure

From late November through early January, Liberty Science Center (Jersey City) runs its Holiday Adventure experience, featuring: (lsc.org)

For families in Newark and North Jersey, this is one of the most accessible all-December youth STEM opportunities on the calendar: big spectacle, real science, and a quick PATH ride away.

East Ward Community Food Hub: Tech + Food Justice

All month, the East Ward Community Food Hub continues its Mon/Wed/Sat operations, with a new digital edge. Organizers are increasingly using data tools to:

For teens interested in data, civic tech, or public health, the Hub is a powerful example of STEM applied to real community survival.

Dec 15 – Math Pathways Launch: A New Digital Tool for Black and Brown Students

Add one more major date to your December tech calendar:
December 15 – the official launch of Math Pathways.

Math Pathways is a new digital platform designed to help students—especially Black and Brown youth—build confidence and proficiency in math through:

This platform and team gamifies math, demystifies math by showing its use in our daily lives, and preparing learners for career paths and tests. This launch sits right at the intersection of December youth STEM opportunities and long-term academic equity. It gives:

Whether your family is in Brooklyn, Newark, Jersey City, or beyond, Math Pathways turns December 15 into a “save this link” moment for the whole community. Visit mathpathways.net to join a free session or speak with a coach!

Deadlines & Look-Ahead Opportunities: Marcy Lab, FREE STEM Fund, and Tax Prep

Some of December’s most important youth STEM opportunities aren’t single-day events—they’re deadlines.

Jan 4, 2026 – The Marcy Lab School (Brooklyn)

For young adults (18–24) who are ready for a serious tech pathway without four years of college debt, The Marcy Lab School is a game-changer. (The Marcy Lab School)

Their Software Engineering & Data Analytics Fellowships:

Application Deadline: January 4, 2026 for the Fall 2026 cohort. This should absolutely be circled, highlighted, and stuck on the fridge for any teen aging out of high school or community college.

Dec 1, 2025 – FREE STEM Fund (Women & Non-binary)

For nonprofits and community groups, December 1 is the grant deadline for the FREE STEM Fund, which supports programs uplifting women and non-binary people in STEM.

This is how new robotics clubs, makerspaces, girls-in-tech programs, and coding cohorts get funded. When orgs secure this kind of backing, future December youth STEM opportunities multiply.

Feb 3, 2026 – Bed-Stuy Restoration Free Tax Prep

It’s not a December event, but February 3 marks the start of Bed-Stuy Restoration’s free tax prep services. For low- and middle-income families, getting taxes done early and correctly can mean:

Treat this as a financial infrastructure date in your extended tech calendar.

Short-Term and Long-Term Impact on the Community

Short-term, this December tech calendar gives:

Long-term, it seeds:

For Black and Brown communities in Brooklyn and Northern NJ, December youth STEM opportunities are not just extracurricular. They’re infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

Call to Action – How Families Can Use This December Tech Calendar

Here are a few practical ways to make this December tech calendar work for your family:

December doesn’t have to be a slow slide into the new year.
It can be the month your family steps further into the future.

HfYC POLL of the Day

Which December youth STEM opportunity are you most likely to show up for: library tech labs, museum STEM days, holiday science adventures, or online tools like Math Pathways?

Alternate Perspectives:

  1. Does a December tech calendar like this make it easier for your family to plug into youth STEM opportunities—or does it still feel overwhelming?
  2. What would help your kids more right now: in-person STEM events or digital tools like Math Pathways they can use at home?
  3. Be honest: are you more likely to take your kids to a free library tech program, a museum STEM day, or nowhere at all this December?

RANK MATH SEO FIELDS

Focus Keyword: December youth STEM opportunities

SEO Title: December Youth STEM Opportunities: Brooklyn & NJ Tech Calendar

Meta Description: Discover December youth STEM opportunities in Brooklyn and Northern NJ—from library tech labs to museum STEM days and the Math Pathways launch on Dec 15.

Slug: december-youth-stem-opportunities-tech-calendar

Additional SEO Keywords:
December youth STEM opportunities, December tech calendar, Brooklyn tech events, Newark STEM events, teen tech centers, Newark Zine Fest, Liberty Science Center Holiday Adventure, Math Pathways launch, Marcy Lab School deadline

IMAGE PROMPTS FOR GEMINI

Feature Image

Prompt:
“A cinematic editorial-style image of Black and Brown students in a computer lab and makerspace, with a calendar overlay showing December dates, representing December youth STEM opportunities in Brooklyn and Newark. The scene should feel vibrant and hopeful, with details like laptops, 3D printers, and notebooks on tables. Composition: wide shot. Lighting: bright, natural indoor light. Quality: high-resolution, editorial.”

Supporting Image 1 – Brooklyn Library Tech

Prompt:
“A photo-realistic image of teens at a Brooklyn public library Teen Tech Center, playing games and working on computers in a cozy, modern space. The scene should feel welcoming and community-centered, with details like gaming controllers, headphones, and a librarian assisting a student. Composition: mid-shot. Lighting: warm indoor light. Quality: ultra HD.”

Supporting Image 2 – Newark & NJ STEM Adventures

Prompt:
“A vibrant editorial image showing a split-scene: on one side, teens browsing zines and art at a museum table; on the other, a family enjoying a science exhibit at Liberty Science Center’s Holiday Adventure. The scene should feel festive and educational, with details like zine displays, science demos, and winter decor. Composition: split-scene. Lighting: bright and cheerful. Quality: high-resolution, cinematic.”

TAGS

December youth STEM opportunities, December tech calendar, Brooklyn tech events, Newark STEM events, teen tech centers, Brooklyn Public Library, Newark Museum of Art, Liberty Science Center, Math Pathways, Marcy Lab School, youth STEM programs, family tech activities, Northern New Jersey

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