STEMarts Lab
Grants Awarded
AstroTrail: Connecting Land, Sky, and Space is a youth-led Science Art (SciArt) program that engages over 300 New Mexico youngsters annually in astronomy, environmental science, and cultural storytelling through an immersive blend of creative coding and augmented reality. The program provides hands-on learning, workforce development initiatives, paid internships, and classroom activities at the Cascabel Trailhead in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. In supporting the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Dark Sky certification, AstroTrail cultivates youth’s stewardship of public lands and fosters their confidence, creativity, and career pathways in science, technology, and art. Through unique initiatives such as Temporary Augmented Reality (AR) Exhibits, Star Parties, and a student-driven AstroTrail App, the program not only engages rural youth in outdoor learning but also promotes sustainable futures and cross-cultural connections.
STEMarts Lab is a SciArt production studio and youth leadership program based in New Mexico. We design immersive, interdisciplinary experiences that empower youth and communities through the fusion of art, science, and technology. Founded by artist and educator Agnes Chavez, STEMarts Lab prepares young people to thrive in a rapidly changing world by equipping them with the tools and mindsets to imagine and shape sustainable futures. Our mission is to engage students in innovative SciArt experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We believe in the power of interdisciplinary learning to inspire curiosity, promote scientific and cultural literacy, and build confidence in youth as they explore meaningful career pathways. Through classroom activities, after-school programs, community partnerships, and international exchanges, STEMarts Lab delivers programming that blends scientific exploration, creative expression, and social impact. Programs are grounded in place-based learning and global collaboration, with a focus on accessibility for rural and tribal communities. STEMarts Lab curriculum tools and activities support educators with standards-aligned resources that explore complex topics—ranging from space science and climate change to data visualization and storytelling—through a creative and culturally inclusive lens. We collaborate with scientists, artists, technologists, and cultural specialists to co-develop content that bridges disciplines and worldviews. By integrating emerging technologies like augmented reality, creative coding, and immersive media, STEMarts Lab helps students discover new ways to understand and contribute to the world around them in balance with nature—empowering the next generation of innovative thinkers, creators, and changemakers.