ABOUT ASPEN
With her unique background in scientific research, engineering, education and business- Aspen has established herself as a trusted advisor to founders and businesses, who like her, aim to create high quality STEM education programs that inspires and prepares students for the future of work.
She believes that STEM programs should be based on strategy and systems in order to create an intentional learning ecosystem and impactful experience for students. Through her work, Aspen bridges the gap between the classroom and the laboratory, creating programs that are timely, engaging, multidisciplinary and collaborative.
Aspen Holland is an entrepreneur, international speaker and strategic advisor to STEM directors and founders
Aspen Holland is the founder of STEM Made Simple, a firm dedicated to transforming K-12 STEM programs through strategic, scalable, and impactful solutions. With a passion for innovation and impact, Aspen has built a career at the intersection of engineering, education, and entrepreneurship- helping organizations scale their programs, optimize operations, and drive real-world STEM engagement.
Her STEM journey began in biochemistry and pharmacology research, where she was recognized for her work by being inducted into the American Junior Academy of Science and received the Promising Scientist or Engineers Award from ExxonMobil. Awarded a full-ride scholarship to college, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering—but her passion for education and impact ultimately led her to redefine her path.
She launched her career in STEM Education by leading STEM initiatives for a nonprofit, collaborating with partners like Tesoro, Google Fiber, and NASA, as well as expanded programming across 14 states and 29 schools. Fast forward to her role as Program Director for an NYC-based education company, she expanded programming to double the offerings and grew revenue to over seven figures in under two years. Her program earned national recognition, including a feature on Nickelodeon’s "Nick News."
Today, Aspen is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and thought leader in STEM education, dedicated to helping schools, nonprofits, and education companies develop high-quality, future-ready STEM programs. She has spoken to over 6,000 students across the United States, Africa, and Australia and collaborated with leading organizations like Sphero, Space Teams, and the USA Science and Engineering Festival. In 2019, she took the stage at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, delivering a TED talk, "Help Students Find Their Spark".
Through STEM Made Simple, Aspen is leading a movement to ensure STEM education is not just about passing exams—but about preparing students for the future of work.
MY MOTTO IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE
“Every student is a STEM student.”
What i BELIEVE
My Philosophy
The future of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace—65% of today’s students will enter careers that don’t yet exist. In this landscape of constant change, curriculum cannot be static; it must be a dynamic, living framework that continuously adapts to the latest advancements and conversations in STEM industries. To truly prepare students for the future, curriculum must be engaging, timely, and strategic in building an intentional learning journey for students.
Scalability is the key to sustainability. While visually appealing, one-off activities may capture attention, they often fail to translate into long-term, scalable impact. If an approach isn’t easily trainable for educators or efficiently implemented at scale, it may not be the best investment for systemic change.
STEM concepts are no longer being confined to just traditional STEM fields—it is embedded in industries as diverse as sports, fashion, and food. The future workforce will not be divided into STEM and non-STEM careers; rather, all jobs will require a level of STEM fluency. To equip students for this reality, we must approach STEM in an interdisciplinary way and ensure students don’t just understand STEM concepts, but know how to apply them in innovative ways.
