Our Story

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Meet our Founder

With a deep love for STEM education, Ashima has spent over 14 years as a curriculum developer, researcher, and educator. She earned her BS in Child Development and Biology from Tufts and her PhD in Science Education from the University of Michigan. While working at ISRY (a research lab at McLean Hospital & Harvard Medical School) and PEAR (an organization designed to bridge research and practice), she contributed to NSF-funded projects studying the best ways to measure quality in STEM programming, while uncovering both cognitive and social-emotional impacts. She has worked with teachers in STEM classrooms and informal educators in museums, community centers, after-school programs, and summer camps.

As a mom of two wonderful daughters while relocating often as a military spouse, Ashima has experienced the challenges of living away from a support network, unreliable childcare, and feeling parent isolation while working remotely. She dreamed of creating a special place where kids and adults can thrive and finally started her entrepreneurial journey with STEMSpot. Her strong background in STEM education and passion for the well-being of both children and parents/caregivers are reflected in every element of the design and offerings at STEMSpot. She hopes her vision will become the ideal reality for young families in the Merrimack Valley.

Our Core Values

Happy Parents, Happy Kids: When parents have the chance to refuel and connect, their children thrive. Our space is thoughtfully designed to consider the well-being of caregivers—we’re here to be your village.

Kindness First: We value grace, empathy, and compassion in all interactions, treating our visitors (both big and small) with warmth and respect.

Judgment-Free Zone:: Parenting is full of ups and downs—some days are all about fun and play, while others are focused on getting work done. Our space supports you in whatever you need, whether you're enjoying quality time with your child or catching up on tasks. We’re here to accommodate your needs without any judgment.

Lifelong Learning: We’re dedicated to sparking curiosity and a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime. Our STEM materials and activities encourage children and families to explore new skills and interests together. Through these experiences, they'll learn to ask questions, persevere through challenges, celebrate achievements, and collaborate with others.

What is STEMSpot?

STEMSpot was created from a long “wish list” of what our founder, Ashima, wished for in her changing roles as a new parent, as a working parent, as a stay-at-home parent, and as a parent that lived far from her family and support network. This list has motivated all decisions from choosing the right space to the way we train our staff. We’re committed to building the perfect SPOT for today’s parent.

Here are some key features of the space that we hope will resonate with you!

Open during weekday & weekend hours

A lot of babysitters/nannies/grandparents that are helping with childcare can leave the house, enjoy a café beverage and snack, and provide a stimulating play environment for their little ones that are not enrolled in school yet. Parents who use full-time childcare can visit as a family on the weekends and know that they will feel just as happy to visit as their little ones.

Comfortable areas to work & tackle your to-do list

Finishing up work emails or making your grocery list or just finishing up a chapter of your favorite book can seem daunting when you’re also home with the kids. Our café seating allows parents to tackle their to-do lists while easily viewing their children in the play area. For those that need to finish a deadline or have a quieter area to work, our co-working hours allow you to reserve a seat in our quiet classroom area while your child attends a STEM class in the play area. We have something for everyone!

Offering varied and thoughtful café choices

Since we want you to add STEMSpot to your routine, we can’t ask you to fight the “I want candy! I want icecream! I want a slushie!” argument each visit. We’ve carefully created a café beverage and snack menu that offers a range of healthier choices than typical “entertainment” food. Barista-crafted beverages for you and healthy options for your littles ones. While we love treats for special occasions, we want you to feel confident that you’re little one will have plenty of fun options that you can feel good about!

Offering high-quality educational materials and play environments

By bringing the magic of a hands-on museum into a less overwhelming and more intimate setting, we aim to create unique learning opportunities for your little ones. Over the past year, we've curated engaging STEM materials, toys, and exhibit-like structures such as an interactive ball wall, a light-up pegboard, jumbo building blocks, and a versatile exploration bin. These features are designed to spark curiosity and interest and be enjoyed on their own or with a parent.

As parents, we understand that while we may buy the latest toys, we don't always have the time or energy to curate learning experiences with them. And while we love seeing the excitement on our child's face when they make slime, we often dread setting up the activity at home. That’s where we come in. With the expertise of our team, we create research-backed learning experiences that are unique and hard or unappealing for parents to provide at home. Let us handle the setup so you can enjoy the magic with your child.

Creating a judgment-free community

STEMSpot welcomes all. You can come in pajamas and with your kids in mismatched socks–we don’t care…just come and join us. Leave the house and you won’t be treated like a customer, you’ll be a part of our family—come in, order your favorite drink, and let your child enjoy the village of supportive caregivers and new friends.

STEMSpot is NOT a daycare or drop-off childcare facility. Caregivers must stay on-site at all times. Our staff is here to facilitate learning opportunities, maintain a clean and safe space, and ensure that all materials are used appropriately and policies are followed. While parents may work in the café or co-working space, they are responsible for diapering and feeding their children as needed.