The annual STEAM Expo will return as an in-person event Saturday, March 12 at the Planetarium & Science Center. Organizers have assembled fun science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) activities for Central Valley families and children of all ages. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to see a free planetarium show, which will run at intervals throughout the event.
“The STEAM Expo is a place where kids can explore the wonderful world of STEAM through hands-on activities,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Tim Hire. “In addition to all of the activities, we have representatives from organizations available to show visitors how they use STEAM education in their jobs every day.”
Attendees can try their hands at aerospace engineering by designing and launching their own hot air balloons and rockets. A Cardboard Challenge area will be created for families to envision and construct anything they can imagine out of cardboard. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in numerous arts-related activities, including shadow pictures, shape bubbles, nature tracing, and chalk drawings. Event organizers are bringing plenty of engaging technology and coding opportunities for children to try, including Cubelets, Artie, Botley, and Dash & Dot robots and robotic components.
The annual Tulare County Science & Engineering Fair will also be held. This year, the event will feature 35 projects created by students to address real-world issues. Judges will select the top projects to advance to the 2022 California Science & Engineering Fair, being held virtually in April.
Among the community organizations attending the event are the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Flying Eagles Squadron, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and Sequoia Riverlands Trust. Taquizas Gonzalez will provide on-site food options.
The Peña Planetarium will show its popular CAPCOM GO! The Apollo Story at 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 1:45 p.m. CAPCOM GO! is a historical documentary that showcases the achievements of the Apollo program and what it took to put the first human on the moon. It introduces a new generation to the immense challenges scientists overcame, inspiring viewers to become the explorers, designers, engineers, thinkers, and dreamers of the future. Free tickets for the shows will be available at the box office beginning at 10:00 a.m. Doors close at show time with no late seating and no reentry after the show begins.
The STEAM Expo is a free, open house-style event scheduled for 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on March 12. For more information, visit tcoe.org/STEAMExpo. The Planetarium & Science Center is located at 11535 Avenue 264 in Visalia.