Santa Cruz County

S.T.E.A.M. Expo

March 8, 2025 at the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds


Santa Cruz STEAM Expo

Celebrating student innovation and creativity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics

that display authentic research and engineering design, while advancing equitable access to inquiry and problem based learning.

Why Participate in the Science Fair 

There are many reasons for a student to undertake a Science Fair project:


There are many rewards for a student to undertake a Science Fair project.


Ways to Participate in the STEAM Expo:

Encourage students to Compete with their projects.

Participate in the Showcase to show off what your students are doing in class, action projects, or projects in progress. (classrooms, teachers and students)

Teachers: Earn CEU's for Judging day-of or for hosting a school-based STEAM, science fair or invention convention!

Encourage high school students to sign up  to Volunteer for community service hours

Encourage students & families to attend the event (add it to your school and/or class newsletter & calendar, send home copies of the event flier) 



Support for Schools

Need assistance? We are available to support planning for teachers and project mentors through a video conference or a site visit as needed. This support can include ideas for launching projects, best practices for success, help navigating logistical details, and answering questions you may have. If you are interested in scheduling a video conference or site visit, please email Heather Wygant

Vision and  Purpose of Expo

Our vision is to celebrate opportunities in STEAM education that inspire and empower all students to be innovative, creative, and determined Makers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.  

Our mission is to provide equitable opportunities and access to develop and share STEAM Fair projects and explore hands-on STEAM exhibitions and phenomena.

The purpose of the Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo is to...

 

More than just a Science Fair, the STEAM Expo offers a place for students to exhibit and get feedback on their projects, alongside engaging activities for the whole family.

The STEAM Expo enables students to explore their interests and talents by offering different project types and categories from which students can choose, many of which are directly tied to categories represented in California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF),  the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the Invention Convention. Students have the option to compete with their project and continue on to state and international competitions, or to showcase their project. Students will have the opportunity to discuss their projects with judges and the community to receive feedback on how they can improve their projects.  Collaborative groups of up to three (3) students are ENCOURAGED to work on projects together for competition, and larger groups are permitted in the showcase. 

We recognize the potential for Science & Engineering Fairs to be ideal incubators for inspiring and empowering our next generation of innovators by following these following principles:

Students should be allowed to enter projects in the fair that follow different problem-solving methods, such as Scientific Inquiry, Engineering Design, Case Study, Computer Science, Theoretical, or Experimental.

Important Dates Science and Engineering Fair 2025