This Spring there are Regional STEM Festivals abound! A Regional STEM Festival is an engaging, free, hands-on educational experience for preK-12 youth and their families. The goal of conducting a STEM festival is to catalyze the connection of children and families to the community assets that inspire and support them in pursuing STEM careers. At times, the STEM Regions also host other creative gatherings that drive community engagement, partnerships and showcases that advance the mission of Iowa’s STEM Council.
South Central STEM Region.
On February 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the South Central STEM Region hosted a STEM Festival session with 14 hands-on exhibitors with tables full of activities as part of the I'll Make Me a World in Iowa Education Day, a gathering of over 800 6-12 grade students from across the state for a celebration of African American education, STEM, art, history, business and more. Students were excited and engaged at every table, and the exhibitors brought wonderful and varied hands-on activities.
The following STEM Festivals are coming up this Spring:
North Central STEM Region. For more information, go to: https://www.ncstemhub.iastate.edu/north-central-stem-festivals
- March 14, 2024, 5-8PM - Osage Middle/High School
- April 6, 2024, 9AM-12 NOON – DMACC Boone Campus
- April 17, 2024, 4-7PM – North Iowa Area Community College Gym, Mason City
Northeast STEM Region. For more information, go to: https://www.neiowastem.com/stem-festivals
- March 19, 2024, 4-7PM - Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival, UNI Dome, Cedar Falls
- April 18, 2024, 4-7PM - Dubuque Area Family STEM Festival, Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Northwest STEM Region. For more information, contact NW Regional STEM Manager Mary Trent at mtrent@iowalakes.edu
- April 26, 2024 - E-Sports Festival, Western Iowa Technical College’s Rocklin Center as well as virtually
- June 20, 2024, 9AM-3PM – Laker STEM Fest, Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville Campus
Southeast STEM Region. For more information, contact SE Regional STEM Manager Matt Stier at matthew-j-stier@uiowa.edu
- April 7, 2024, 1-4PM - Belle Plaine High School
- July 18, 2024, 9AM-1PM – Collins Aerospace Campus, Cedar Rapids
Southwest STEM Region. For more information, contact SW Regional STEM Manager Casey Wenstrand at wenstrand@iowastem.org
- March 21, 2024, 5-7PM - Earlham Family STEM Night, Earlham Community School District
- April 3, 2024, 12-3PM - Full STEAM Ahead Festival, Graceland University Morden Center
- May 1, 2024, 5:30-7:30PM - Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub (SWITCH Center), East Mills Elementary Gym
Each of the STEM Regions welcomes additional exhibitors and volunteers who would like to be a part of these annual STEM Festivals. To express interest in participating, contact the Regional STEM Manager in your region. Their contact information can be found at: https://iowastem.org/regions