STEM Festivals: IMMAW, Iowa Department of the Blind,

Scroll down for information on IMMAW, Iowa Department for the Blind, and Lucas County STEM Fest.

January 24, 9am-2pm
IMMAW in Iowa Education Day STEM Festival

WHEN:      Friday, January 24
TIME:        9 am – 2 pm
SET-UP:     8 am
WHERE:   Iowa Event Center (730 3rd St. Des Moines, Iowa 50309)

EXHIBITORS: Please email lisa.morlock@drake.edu if you’d like to exhibit. We have limited space and are looking specifically for STEM-related business and industry with activity-based outreach for secondary students.

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February 29, 2020, 2-4pm
Iowa Department of the Blind STEM Fest

WHEN:      Saturday, February 29, 2020
TIME:        2-4 pm
SET-UP:     1 pm
WHERE:   Iowa Department for the Blind (524 4th Ave., Des Moines, IA

Register HERE to EXHIBIT: https://forms.gle/H9pbfMEDL88GqRJ98

No registration necessary to ATTEND. Open to the public.

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March 26, 2020
Lucas County STEM Festival!

WHEN:      Monday March 26, 2020
TIME:        5-7 pm
SET-UP:     4 pm (organizers onsite from 1 p.m. on)
WHERE:   Chariton Community Center (915 Osage Avenue, Chariton, IA)

Click HERE to register to attend the event as an ATTENDEE.

  • Share the info with your class or school.
  • If you register a scout troop or club, just list the adult and total number who will attend with you.

Click HERE to register as an EXHIBITOR.

  • We’re happy to help brainstorm activity ideas.

Click HERE to register as an EVENT VOLUNTEER.

  • High school volunteers are often eligible for Silver Cord hours.
  • We do have assigned jobs on the sign-up, but note you may be pulled in lots of fun, busy directions.
  • Please bring your slip to the festival for us to sign.

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SC Hub’s Regional STEM Festivals

If you have questions, please email the Hub at scstemhub@drake.edu.

STEM Festival Philosophy

STEM is about learning, investigation and career readiness, but it’s also about having FUN!

The South Central Regional Hub partners with local community leaders and educators to host annual Family STEM Festivals.  Exhibitors from throughout Iowa spark student and parent interest with hands-on learning ranging from driving robots and trying virtual welding to testing chemical reactions and building structures.  Each festival is quickly becoming a community-wide, must attend event!

Exhibit Tips

STEM Exhibits are usually interactive, hands-on experiences. Here are a few tips to help you succeed at any festival.

  • Display your group or company’s name. If appropriate, hand out flyers or brochures that list contact information for after the event.
  • Consider the age of the audience. Many festival goers range between kindergarten and 8th grade.
  • Often people spend 5-10 minutes per booth, so having a quick activity or interaction is important.
  • Let festival planners know if you need access to electricity, water, the outdoors, etc.
  • If it interests you, it will likely interest a student. Create a space that is interesting and fun.
  • The Hub is here to help you with booth ideas. Please contact Dr. Sarah Derry at scstemhub@drake.edu.

Past Exhibit Examples

There’s a STEM component in almost everything, and we can help you create a great booth that engages STEM enthusiasts of all ages. Check out some of our past exhibitors in the photos below.

Business and industry professions, like John Deere’s Inspire Program.

Colleges and universities, like Grandview Science, are regular participants.

Elementary and secondary school students often showcase school activities, like robotics teams.

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