TouchUp Inc. to host free STEM career day for Watts youth

TouchUp Inc. will bring a free, invitation-only STEM Career Exploration Day to Watts on Nov. 14 for youth ages 14 to 18. The event is designed to connect local teens with hands-on training, industry mentors and a clearer path into technology careers.

Why it matters: - TouchUp Inc. is using a single-day event to connect Watts youth with practical exposure to STEM careers. - The program is aimed at teens ages 14 to 18, a key window for shaping post-graduation education and career plans. - The event also feeds into TouchUp Inc.'s larger 2026-27 youth pipeline across Los Angeles County.

What happened: - TouchUp Inc. will host “Watts Next,” a free STEM Career Exploration Day, on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. - The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Children’s Institute, Watts Campus, 10200 Success Ave., Los Angeles. - The event is invitation-only for youth. - Media are invited to attend and cover the day, including the Wattscademy Awards at 4:30 p.m.

The details: - Participants will rotate through five hands-on trainings. - Students will design and make sublimation tumblers with The Maker Hub. - Students will build a game concept with Jourdan Stroman of Mattel. - Students will learn EV charger mechanics with SmarterHelp. - Students will build and program robots with SoLa Robotics. - Students will edit their own short films with Avi Glick of USC and Koyal AI. - Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided at no cost. - TouchUp Inc. says the event is part of five signature “Power Up L.A.” programs for 2026-27. - TouchUp Inc. expects its broader technology education programming to reach 600 to 800 youth across Los Angeles County during the 2026-27 program year. - The organization says it has served more than 1,500 youth since 2017. - TouchUp Inc. says its alumni have a 0% recidivism rate.

Between the lines: - The event combines career exposure with tangible skills, which can make STEM feel more accessible for teens who may not see themselves in those fields yet. - Bringing in partners from education, entertainment and robotics signals a strategy to make technology careers feel local, practical and varied rather than abstract. - The focus on Watts underscores an effort to target a community where expanded youth opportunity can have outsized impact.

What's next: - TouchUp Inc. plans to use Watts Next as a bridge into its broader 2026-27 programming. - Media and sponsors interested in supporting the event can contact Caryn Brandon at caryn@touchuptech.org. - More information is available at TouchUp Inc.'s website.