Expo Day

The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering kicks off with its largest event EXPO DAY, a daylong celebration at PETCO Park on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. EXPO DAY is the Festival’s signature event, with more than 130 local businesses, corporations, and organizations providing interactive, hands-on science, technology, engineering and math exhibits and activities to budding K-12 science lovers. The fun continues with Festival Week (March 4-11): eight days of learning, interaction and behind-the-scenes opportunities for pre-k through grey! Students, families, young professionals, passersby are all invited to join us for Festival Week to ignite their passion for STEM education.

Anticipated EXPO DAY Features/Highlights for 2018:

• *NEW* U.S. Air Force Rapid Strike Simulator: Ever wonder what it’s like to soar the sky on a down-range Air Force mission? Well look no further! EXPO DAY and Festival Week will feature the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service’s Rapid Strike Simulator. Rapid Strike is a state-of-the-art flight simulator that showcases the intricacy and capability of modern American airpower. Take around in the sky and experience what it’s like to be an airman.
• *NEW* Healthy Lifestyles Area: New year, new you! Visit this booth area in Park at the Park to learn more about the science of healthy living. From exercise to healthy eating habits, this new area will teach festival-goers all they need to know about living a healthy lifestyle. 
• Pre-K Zone: Inspire even the tiniest innovators to ignite their love for science! Presented by STEAM Maker Workshop and Children’s Discovery Museum, the Pre-K Zone will give children under 5 an opportunity to participate in STEAM-related activities. Visit the Pre-K Zone to excite your tiny future innovators. Let their imaginations run free, they just might change the world. 
• TEDxKids@ElCajon Take the Stage: TEDxKids@El Cajon will join us for a second year for TEDx kids talks starting at 11 a.m. on the Dugout Stage. Hear some inventive ideas from some of tomorrow’s future movers and shakers. You’ll laugh, smile and be proud of the skills these students are learning in public speaking, and leadership. Organized by the Cajon Valley Union School District, these TEDx talks offer a unique platform for students to share their ideas. Connect with our future leaders and leave inspired.
• Bright Idea Society Alley – Powered By ViaSat, Inc.: No need to scour the map, our Bright Idea Society award winners will all be gathered together in their own row inside Park at the Park! The Bright Idea Society recognizes individuals (new this year) and groups at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Winners will be awarded stipends, t-shirts, and a free booth space at EXPO DAY to showcase their ideas to thousands of festival attendees of all ages. This year’s winners will be announced Jan. 26, 2018. Visit their activity booths and let these fascinating young minds, teach you about science!
• League of Extraordinary Scientists (LXS): Join some of the brightest minds in San Diego County at the Mercado area in PETCO Park. Have questions about Entymology, Nano Tech, Artificial Intelligence, Genomics, Oceanography, Science or Astronomy? Listen and engage with scientists from San Diego companies and organizations who are active in their industries at a Fireside Chat. Be sure to also stay for the LXS Science Tour, which offers hands on activities for scientists of all ages.
• Extra Credit Adventure: Teachers, encourage your students to explore STEM by rewarding extra credit for attending EXPO Say! Download the Expo Day Extra Credit worksheet in advance or stop by the booth presented by UCSD Begs Outreach located near the Fireside Chats in the Mercado area.
• EXPO DAY Stage Performances: Everyone’s favorite math rappers – The Music Notes – return to Expo Day this year. Through rhythm and rhyme they break down math concepts from simple addition to advanced algebra. Fleet Science Center, General Atomics, Mad Science and others captivate audiences with explosive STEM fun. The experts at Ecovivarium give guests an up close and personal experience to reptiles who call Southern California home. Additional acts will be added as Expo Day approaches.

San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering Festival Week Features/Highlights for 2018:

• Co-hosted by the Fleet Science Center, the ever-popular 21 and up series returns this year, giving adults an opportunity to share their passion for science education. Chat over a glass of wine about hot button science topics, learn about the science of distilling, grab a mimosa and talk to a STEAM maker, and play a science-filled game of Cards Against Humanity, and enjoy a local brew with like-minded science enthusiasts. Events will be held throughout San Diego County during Festival Week, making it easy for anyone to participate, especially for parents who need a well-deserved date night out!
• The STEM in Your Backyard series includes free events that are mini versions of the science festival EXPO DAY, held in diverse communities across San Diego County, including Escondido, Chula Vista, Lakeside and Barrio Logan. Each STEM in Your Backyard event will feature 20 to 25 hands-on STEM activities led by educators and working STEM professionals. Through these four events, more families from neighborhoods all over San Diego will be able to experience the festival’s STEM exhibits in their own communities.
• The science festival will celebrate International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8 with an interactive evening filled with several remarkable women in STEM. In addition to an all-woman STEM panel moderated by former KUSI News reporter and anchor, Kristen Cusato, attendees will have an opportunity to network with several women in the STEM field to learn more about the work they do and hear advice on how to encourage other women and girls to pursue STEM careers.