Explore, learn and play!

2019 STEAM Extravaganza coming soon

The Umpqua Community College campus will once again turn into a land of all things science, technology, engineering, artistic innovation and math as the Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub presents the 2019 STEAM Extravaganza.

This year’s event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to explore, discover, create, play and learn among the dozens of activities and presentations that are on tap.

Hundreds of people attended the 2018 STEAM Extravaganza at UCC.

“We’re planning to offer even more activities this year that will be sure to entertain and expand the minds of children of all ages,” said Gwen Soderberg-Chase, director of Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub and Douglas County Partners for Student Success. “This annual event has evolved into a great resource for Douglas County residents interested in exposing more youth and adults to STEAM education.”

One of the Hub’s main goals is to increase the number of students who earn a post-secondary degree or certificate requiring proficiency in STEAM fields. By exposing students to the world of STEAM education in fun and creative ways, Soderberg-Chase said the hope is to spark more children’s interests early on.

“The Hub’s goals align with DCPSS’s other initiative, Bright Futures Umpqua, which promotes career-connected learning opportunities,” Soderberg-Chase said. “Together, these initiatives are exposing more Douglas County youth to pathways that will lead to successful futures.”

Some of the activities planned for the STEAM Extravaganza include a drone competition; rocket building and launching; Lego League robotics; UCC program tours and demonstrations; pipe organ building; and a maker/tinker space.

The event will again coincide with UCC astronomy professor Paul Morgan’s Solar System Walk. A scale model of the solar system will be placed on the UCC campus for students to experience its size and planetary layout.

Admission is free. Registration is appreciated but not required, at www.umpqua.edu/enrollatucc/rsvp.

Leave a Reply