San Mateo County Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Festival a GREAT Success!

The San Mateo County STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Festival held on the Redwood City Courthouse Square on April 16th was a tremendous success by any measure. The festival offered 35 booths that demonstrated some area of science, technology, engineering, or math, 10 stage presentations, and 3 contests - all for FREE! Approximately 3000 people attended the outdoor and indoor event, enjoying not only the hands-on activities, but the free entrance to the San Mateo County History Museum as well. The beautiful day allowed visitors to spend as much time as they wanted with 3D printing, static electricity, math games, earthquake science, robots, emergency preparedness, circuits, and much, much more!

Local organizations stepped up to the plate and brought interactive, fun exhibits to show families. Organizations that were represented included: Port of Redwood City, Canada College STEM Center, College of San Mateo, iFly, Redwood City Library Coding Club, Galileo Learning, TechShop, San Carlos Flight Center, FRC Robotics Team 100— Woodside High School, Girl Scouts of No. California, Redwood City Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Mathnasium, Hiller Aviation, Future City, StemDelivered.org, Menlo Atherton Robotics, Redwood City Police, Skyline College, Digital Media Academy, Science for Scientists, Sea Scouts, San Mateo County History Museum, Rocketship Charter School, and Connect Charter School. (7 schools, 9 companies, 8 nonprofit/government organizations.)

Exciting and informative stage presentations included remarks from Councilmember Shelly Masur and Senator Jerry Hill, and presentations from Sean Casey from Silicon Valley Space Center, Barbara Plante from Boreal Space, Future City, Menlo Atherton Robotics Club, Canada College STEM, Mathnasium, Digital Media Academy, and Alan Kahn (scientist and magician).

This event could not have happened without the organization by the Redwood City Youth Literacy Council and the Redwood City Library Foundation. They worked tirelessly for many months with the Redwood City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department and the Redwood City Library to coordinate all activities. In addition, the event included over 70 volunteers from the community working as part of Global Youth Service Day. The event was offered for free because of our event sponsors: Port of Redwood City, Oracle, State Farm, Youth Service America, and Elks Lodge #1991. Prizes were supplied by: Costco, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Hiller Aviation, and CuriOdyssey.

Visitors remarked about how exciting it was to see how science, technology, engineering, and math were applied in everyday activities in local organizations and companies. Most of the booths offered giveaways including magnets, airplanes, helicopters, and safety blankets that allowed kids to bring their lessons from the day home. Hopefully many of the youth will now consider STEM careers in the future.

The San Mateo County STEM Festival showed us how very diverse groups can work together to create a meaningful and worthwhile event. Please direct your support and comments to redwoodcityreads@comcast.net so we can let the city know that we want this important event back next year.