This year, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education is moving from a traditional science fair model to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) EXPO in order to advance equitable access to inquiry-based learning.

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

• Promote the STEAM identities of ALL students

• Integrate culturally relevant & real world problem solving

• Engage students in collaborating, communicating and taking action

• Highlight critical thinking and creativity

• Connect students, teachers, industry & community partners

• Foster interest in STEAM careers

• Support implementation of the California State Standards

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 are permitted to work on projects together.

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:

1. The fair must be specifically designed to be inclusive and serve all students equally, regardless of the amount of outside or in-class support they receive during their projects.

2. Students should be given the option of whether or not they would like to “compete” against other students and have their assessment or placement of their work to be open to the public. (Students CHOOSE to have their work at the Expo).

3. Through interviews and discussions, all students who participate in the Expo should be assessed based on their learning experience and their demonstration of 21st Century Skills, Standards-Based Practices, and their overall problem-solving skills and they should be given constructive feedback that can help them grow.

4. The Fair Organizer must clearly and effectively communicate the expectations of the students’ experiences and the structure for success to students, parents, and teachers in order for students to have positive and successful project experiences.

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.

Support Youth, Serve as an Expo Judge

Hundreds of enthusiastic, clever students in kindergarten through high school are pursuing their curiosity through projects in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Join us as a judge on March 11, 2023 at the Santa Cruz County STEAM Expo to interview students and recognize their achievements. Logical thinking and interest in talking with young people is key. Sign up at bit.ly/3iStK48 or contact lead judge Miguel F. Aznar with questions (miguelfaznar@gmail.com).