This article is part of a year-long blog series, Partner Profiles: Bringing the AZ STEM Ecosystem to Life. We’ll be highlighting the organizations statewide that build bridges and create connections to unite a wide array of STEM-focused industries.
In the hills of southern Arizona, the Bisbee Science Exploration and Research Center (BSERC) is proving that curiosity has no zip code. Rooted in a mission to inspire scientific exploration, BSERC is building pathways for STEM learning in a rural, borderland community, where access has historically been limited, but interest is anything but.
At its core, BSERC is about more than science experiments or lab equipment. Its vision centers on developing scientific literacy and encouraging innovative problem-solving to strengthen community resilience. That connection to STEM is direct: when individuals understand science, technology, engineering, and math, they’re better equipped to navigate challenges, contribute to local solutions, and engage with a rapidly evolving world.
Thora Colot and the Bisbee Backyard Project
That vision comes to life through a growing lineup of programs designed to make STEM approachable, social, and relevant. One standout is Science Fridays, a weekly gathering where local youth head to the Bisbee Science Lab to participate in hands-on experiments tied to rotating themes. It’s a simple concept with a big impact—creating consistent access to a space where experimentation is encouraged.
Then there’s Pie & Sky, a monthly community favorite that blends astronomy with, yes, pizza. This free event invites families and learners of all ages to explore the night sky together, turning something as vast as space into a shared, down-to-earth experience. It’s STEM with taste, but without barriers.
Looking ahead, BSERC is developing the Bisbee Backyard Project, an ambitious effort to create a dedicated science park for the community. Envisioned as a space for exploration, education, and connection, the project reflects BSERC’s long-term commitment to embedding STEM into the fabric of everyday life in Bisbee.
The impact of STEM in communities like Bisbee is already visible, especially as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence continue to shape industries and daily life. From targeted advertisements to complex programming systems, AI is becoming a constant presence, and STEM education is what makes understanding and participating in that landscape possible. For rural communities, that access to knowledge is key to staying connected and competitive.
February 2026 Pie & Sky Event, with visitors from Cochise College and a high school in Cananea, Mexico
That’s why supporting STEM in rural and underrepresented communities matters. As BSERC has seen firsthand, a lack of resources doesn’t mean a lack of interest or ambition. One visitor to the Bisbee Science Lab put it best: “Just because I live in a small town doesn’t mean I have to have a small mind.” It’s a perspective that captures both the challenge and the opportunity that when access expands, so does potential.
BSERC continues to build on that momentum with community-centered events, including its first annual Earth Day Celebration. Held on April 22, 2026, at its Melody Lane location, the event showcased the organization’s focus on sustainability and regenerative ecosystems. Attendees were able to explore plans for the Bisbee Backyard Project, connect with local environmental leaders, and experience hands-on demonstrations, ranging from solar energy to cooking smores with a solar oven.
With participation from city representatives, regional organizations, and local businesses, the event reflects a broader, collaborative approach to environmental stewardship. Attendees had the chance to connect with groups working across the county to protect and preserve natural resources, including partners like Kartchner Caverns, the National Wildlife Federation, and Firewise.
Local businesses and environmental advocates were also on-site, sharing how their work contributes to sustainability through innovative products and services. From showcasing electric vehicles to highlighting solar energy solutions—including hands-on demonstrations like making s’mores with a solar oven—the event’s design prioritized accessibility and engagement for all ages, reinforcing BSERC’s commitment to making STEM inclusive and community driven.
In Bisbee, STEM doesn’t sit on a shelf or stay inside a lab—it shows up in backyard conversations, Friday experiments, and nights spent looking up at the stars with a slice of pizza. What BSERC is truly fostering is a community-wide embrace of exploration and learning. And in a place where opportunity has often felt out of reach, that shift from observing science to owning it might be the most powerful possible outcome.
