From the science of changing leaves to the fall crop harvest, the fall season in Iowa produces a brilliant display of STEM. In each of the STEM Council’s six regions, fall also brings about a number of exciting opportunities in hands-on, experiential learning. One of the many awe-inspiring options include STEM Festivals, a community-wide event that sparks interest in STEM learning and applies hands-on education activities to careers in Iowa.
Festivals are generally comprised of community-based organizations and businesses that offer an array of STEM activities for youth and adults to take part in at their leisure. From engineering design challenges and robotics to herpetology and chemical reactions, these events are crowd-pleasing for all ages.
Upcoming Fall STEM Festivals dates include:
- November 7, 2023: Computer Science Playground
- November 9, 2023: Siouxland Aviation Festival
- November 16, 2023: Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival
Communities are encouraged to get involved as exhibitors. Past exhibitors come from various business and industry sectors including agriculture, architecture, engineering, computer science, construction, energy and utilities, environmental, financial, law enforcement, fire and rescue, manufacturing, medical and more.
“Keeping talented individuals in small communities is vital to continued growth and success of local businesses,” said Becca Bellman, Corydon Hy-Vee’s General Manager and recent exhibitor at the Wayne County STEM Festival. “By showing young people interesting careers close to home, we hope to establish an interest that will carry on when they are ready for the workforce, keeping family ties strong and kids close.”
To learn more about attending or exhibiting at upcoming STEM festivals, visit iowastem.org/parents.