North Central STEM Festivals | Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ncstemhub

Upcoming Festivals

November 7th, 2024: North Central STEAMFest
- Flyer
April 4th, 2025: North Iowa STEM Festival
- North Iowa STEM Festival Exhibitor Flyer

STEM Festivals Bring Hands-On Fun to All

The North Central STEM Region partners with community leaders and educators to host Family STEM Festivals throughout the region. The goals of the STEM festival are to promote, inspire and engage youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics activities and to introduce children and parents to STEM careers. Organized like a street festival or county fair, visitors stroll from activity to activity at their leisure. Families have an opportunity to take part in activities such as robotics, medical simulations, DNA testing, virtual reality and much more!

North Iowa STEM Festival 2024

Children work on a bridge building experiment.

On April 17, the North Iowa STEM Festival in Mason City brought together approximately 277 attendees eager to explore over 20 interactive exhibits. Each exhibit featured hands-on activities designed to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and highlighted career opportunities in these fields within the North Iowa area. The event created an exciting environment for community members of all ages to learn from local professionals and experience STEM in action.

Children learning about the solar system.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone involved in making STEM Festival a success—from the organizers who coordinated this inspiring event to the exhibitors who shared their passion and knowledge. Your efforts helped make a lasting impact, encouraging future STEM leaders in our community!

Children working on a science experiment.

Fort Dodge STEAMfest 2024

A child tries a virtual reality driving simulator.

On November 7, Fort Dodge hosted an exciting STEAMfest event, drawing approximately 231 attendees who had the chance to explore over 30 engaging exhibits. Each exhibit offered hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and connect young minds to real-world careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The event celebrated the innovative spirit of Fort Dodge and surrounding areas, providing opportunities for participants to learn directly from professionals in a range of STEAM fields.

A sheriff shows three children a laptop.

A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who helped make this event a success, from the dedicated organizers to the exhibitors who showcased their expertise. Your hard work and enthusiasm helped make STEAMfest a memorable experience for all involved. We look forward to continuing this tradition of inspiring future STEAM leaders!