REGION — The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering invites students, teachers, and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals to take part in the 2015 festival and EXPO Day next spring.
Applications are currently available for teachers and club advisors for the Bright Idea Society and for students, a new STEM Design Contest. Full details and program applications are posted on the SDFSE Web site at lovestemsd.org.
The Bright Idea Society is an opportunity for STEM clubs or classrooms to submit an idea for a project from concept phase to inception. The SDFSE’s education committee will evaluate submissions and select a winning group from each of the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The winners will each be awarded a $500 educational stipend for materials and supplies to bring their project to fruition. In addition, they will receive the opportunity to present their final project at the 2015 EXPO Day, which takes place March 21, 2015 at PETCO Park.
The SDSFE will also offer its newest competition, STEM Design. The competition encourages children to integrate art with their love for science and engineering and allow the expression of creativity. This open call is for students in grades K-12 and college. SDFSE invites students to submit a design concept that is related to STEM for a chance to win top graphic location on the front of the 2015 Festival Week T-shirt. If chosen, the winning recipient will receive their artwork framed, along with an educational stipend and the opportunity to be seen by over 50,000 STEM enthusiasts throughout Festival Week.
Launching in November 2014, the Nifty Fifty Program matches STEM industry professionals with San Diego County K-12 classrooms for exciting and interactive presentations. Teachers and STEM industry professionals can sign up on the Web site now and match e-mails will be sent in January 2015. Additionally, the all new STEM Ambassador Pilot Program will invite two dozen college students to participate as STEM Ambassadors during festival week. Ambassadors will be paired with a Nifty Fifty mentor and invited to participate in classroom presentations.
The mission of the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering is to engage kids in science and engineering. By doing this, the organization expands the general public’s understanding of the relevancy of science and engineering in everyday lives, illuminates why the United States must maintain its leadership role in science and technology, and work with parents and teachers to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) innovators. For more information, visit lovestemsd.org or call (858) 455-0300 ext. 104.
