This is event is completely FREE and open to the public! No registration or tickets required. Come on down and join us for a day filled with 100+ hands-on activities, stage performances and more! Great for all ages, pre-K to gray!
Acurion
Sponsor Application
Learn how advances in microscopy, AI, and computational biology allow us to detect critically important cancer biomarkers from a single image. You’ll see first hand how this incredible technology from Acurion works, how it will impact cancer care around the world, and you’ll be able to interact with a prototype to let you discover the power of AI in advanced diagnostics.
Air & Space Forces Association
Festival Nonprofit Application
CyberPatriot Cyber Wheel. Cyber questions and answers for middle and senior high school students
America's Navy
Sponsor Application
The Navy’s booth at the San Diego STEM Festival will serve as a high-visibility, interactive space designed to engage K–12 students, educators, and parents through hands-on STEM experiences and direct conversations with Navy personnel. The footprint will showcase how STEM skills translate into real-world Navy missions across engineering, technology, aviation, cyber, and medical fields.
American Physical Therapy Association
Festival Nonprofit Application
Students and their families will have the opportunity move, learn more about the human body, and meet a few physical therapy professionals and students. Students will be able to complete a human skeleton puzzle, complete a few movements, and learn more about how physical therapists use technology with their patients!
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) San Diego Section
Festival Nonprofit Application
STEM outreach activities with mechanical engineering students and working professionals.
ASML
Sponsor Application
Create colorful art inspired by microchip patterns and discover how ASML’s machines use light to help make the tiny microchips that power modern technology.
AXEIS
Festival Nonprofit Application
Join us at the AXEIS STEM Carts booth for a fast-paced, hands-on STEM adventure! Build mini-robots, experiment with circuits, explore chemistry reactions, code with micro:bits, and challenge yourself with our student-created science missions. Fun, quick, and creative — perfect for all ages! Every participant will receive a FREE take-home STEM kit to continue exploring science at home!
Ballet Folklorico Moncayo
Festival Performance Application
Ballet Folklórico Moncayo brings the vibrant spirit of Mexico to the stage through traditional dance, live rhythm, and beautifully handcrafted costumes. Under the direction of Maestra Rosario, dancers as young as three years old perform with passion, discipline, and pride, honoring the cultural traditions passed down through generations. Each presentation showcases the rich diversity of Mexico’s regions — from the lively zapateado of Jalisco and the swirling skirts of Veracruz to the bold energ
BathFitter
Sponsor Application
Behind the wall-we will show the working parts of a typical 3-way value common in most showers.
Bioengineering Graduate Society
Festival Nonprofit Application
The UCSD Bioengineering graduate society will host a hands-on activity for K-12 students about stem cell differentiation. A groundbreaking UCSD study has shown that stem cells differentiate based on the material properties of the surface that they are on. Students will blindly feel into many boxes to feel the material properties of different materials and guess what a stem cell would differentiate into if on that material. There is then an arts and crafts section where students can make their o
Biology through Art
Sponsor Application
Drawing, sketching, and coloring plants and animals, plus the "Pokemon Challenge" and collectible card bingo.
Biomedical Engineering Society at UCSD
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will be bringing a 3d printed heart model with blue and red LEDs lighting up tubes to show the flow of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood through the heart and how the body is supplied with oxygenated blood. Students will also have the opportunity to put on real scientist gloves and feel a real preserved porcine heart. We will also be hanging out informational pamphlets/brochures and 3D printed stents that emphasize the importance of bioengineering.
Boxhead Arts
Art Pavilion
BoxHead Arts’ work can be described as visceral, intentional, and community-rooted. At its core, BoxHead Arts blends fine art with lived experience. The visuals are often bold and emotionally charged, using symbolism, texture, and layered narratives to explore Black identity, masculinity, vulnerability, and resilience. The art doesn’t just aim to be seen—it asks to be felt.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Sponsor Application
Microscopy
Pipetting
Molecule Building
Camp Galileo
Sponsor Application
A collaborative K-5th STEAM project demo from our camp's Idea Lab rotation!
Children's Museum of Discovery
Festival Nonprofit Application
the Museum's booth will include hands-on, portable versions of our innovative exhibits that we set-up at your location to engage students through Next Generation Science Standards STEM challenges! Imagination playground, Rockenbak, wind-tunnel, and Code-breaker all teach children the fundamentals of STEM - problem-solving, cause and effect, and resilience.
Children's Museum of Discovery
Festival Nonprofit Application
The Children’s Museum of Discovery will be bringing our Mobile Children’s Museum, a hands-on, play-based experience that inspires curiosity and creativity through STEM and art exploration. Our setup includes several interactive exhibits designed for kids of all ages to learn through play, including: Wind Tunnel – experiment with flight and watch creations soar. Blue Blocks – design and build large-scale structures. Rigamajig – engineer imaginative creations with oversized wooden pieces.
City of San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Public outreach regarding environmental stewardship. Informational games providing education for protecting the environment.
Club for the Future
Festival Nonprofit Application
Earth is finite. To protect our gem of a planet and enable a future of abundance and growth, Earth needs space. Write or draw your vision on a postcard for what you think the future will look like—or any other message you’d like to send to space. Send your postcard to Club for the Future, we'll launch it to space and back on a New Shepard rocket, stamp it "Flown to Space," and return it to you. Send us as many postcards as you'd like—we'll fly them all!
CodeRobo LLC
Sponsor Application
CodeRobo offers a platform for teaching coding and robotics without physical robotics kits. Students learn block-based programming and Python using virtual robots, removing the need for hardware.
At our booth, students and educators can try hands-on coding activities and see how easy it is to start learning robotics. These activities spark curiosity in engineering and help students take their first steps toward STEM, while continuing at home without buying a robot.
Collins Aerospace
Sponsor Application
Explore the world of aerospace materials through a hands-on show and tell featuring real components, specifically mock ups of aircraft nacelles. Put your engineering skills to the test with our paper folding and flight-throwing competition.
County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health Quality
Festival Nonprofit Application
Children will be holding dry ice bubbles.
County of San Diego Vector Control Program
Festival Nonprofit Application
Learn where mosquitoes come from and how to prevent them! View samples the mosquito lifecycle using a microscope or magnifying glasses in order to learn about where mosquitoes come from. Explore a mock back backyard setup to search for sources that can hold water and breed mosquitoes and learn about what repellent will keep you protected from mosquito diseases.
Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE)
Festival Nonprofit Application
CCOE, CAREERworks and National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) partner on an interactive booth showcasing cyber education, training, certifications and career pathways. Check out how you can chart your personal path to a cyber career with the exploration of hands-on fun cyber activities!
Cyth Systems, Inc.
Sponsor Application
This demo illustrates how our industrial control platform (Circaflex) is used to read the values of industrial sensors (pH probe, thermocouple etc.) and send signals to output devices (pumps, heaters, motors etc.). The demo shows this in the form of a typical Bioreactor. These are capable of providing a controlled environment that supports the growth of cells typically used for pharmaceutical research etc.
Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, UC San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Join the astrophysicists of UC San Diego as they take you on an out-of-this world journey into the cosmos! Our booth will feature interactive demonstrations including build-your-own telescope, look through a real telescope at the Sun, cratering the Moon, the Solar System in Petco Park, make your own gravitational wave, and more! Guests of all ages can enjoy our activities!
Don't Try This At Home- Subzero Spectacular
Festival Performance Application
Stand back, we're doing science! Discover how *cool* science can be! Join us for this high-energy performance filled with exciting science demos that are "too cool" to try at home!
DPR Construction
Sponsor Application
DPR's Main Activity Booth will feature iPads with a kid-friendly BIM Scavenger hunt, Photo Opportunity with PPE, Prize Wheel & some awesome DPR Swag giveaway.
DRS Daylight Solutions
Sponsor Application
Hands-on demos showcasing engineering and science concepts in the fields of photonics and optics.
Earth Discovery Institute
Festival Nonprofit Application
Life cycle of a butterfly activity for kiddos using pasta and visuals! Also lots of interesting displays on the table!
EcoVivarium Reptile Sanctuary & Museum
Festival Nonprofit Application
Hands-on reptile and invertebrate encounters.
Elementary Institute of Science
Festival Nonprofit Application
STEM activities and demonstrations such as fossils, electricity items, and afterschool tutoring opportunities.
Empresa Performing Arts Foundation with Play-Well TEKnologies
Festival Nonprofit Application
Interactive LEGO booth with building. We are still planning the specific activity but will have more information closer to the event.
ESET
Sponsor Application
ESET will be doing a hands-on activity that demonstrates how Cybersecurity Software eliminates digital threats and stops hackers.
Fire & Ice
Festival Performance Application
Children of all ages will discover how hot and cold science can be as they take a journey through the world of Fire & Ice! Experience chemical reactions that will "magically" make things disappear and reveal the secret properties of special gases! Explore the states of matter and watch in amazement as we demonstrate the extraordinary and chilly properties of dry ice!
Fleet Science Center
Sponsor Application
Fleet Science Center is on a mission to realize a San Diego where everyone is connected by the power of
science to create a better future. We are a community-focused countywide organization that
collaborates with educators, scientific organizations, community leaders and champions of a-ha
moments. Join us and explore a world of possibility with hands-on learning for the entire family.
Frostbite Frenzy
Festival Performance Application
Explore pressure and states of matter, with dry ice as the star of the show! Learn all about sublimation and increasing pressure, culminating with our insane cup popper and dry ice bubbles!
FundedYouth.org
Festival Nonprofit Application
Stem related mfg and education (3D Printing, Laser Crafting, Fiber Lasers, RC, Robotics, Rocketry)
Fusion Education Incorporation
Festival Nonprofit Application
Fusion FTC will showcase our competitive engineering program through an interactive robotics booth. Visitors can explore our robot up close, learn how we design mechanisms using CAD and coding, and talk with team members about the engineering design process used in First Tech Challenge. Our booth will feature live robot demonstrations, explanations of sensors and game strategy, and a sign-up station for upcoming robotics classes and workshops.
Fusion Education Incorporation
Festival Nonprofit Application
At Fusion’s booth, visitors can explore our student-designed robots from both the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) programs, learn how we use engineering, coding, and teamwork to solve real-world problems, and watch our hands-on robot demonstrations. Our team will showcase projects, share experiences from competitions, and provide information about classes, workshops, and programs where kids can get involved in robotics.
Genentech
Sponsor Application
Genentech’s booth will offer an engaging look at the origins of biotechnology and our role as the birthplace of the biotech industry. Through interactive, kid-friendly STEM experiences and educational displays, visitors can explore how scientific curiosity and innovation have shaped breakthroughs over the past 50 years. Designed to inspire future scientists, the booth provides an accessible way for attendees of all ages to learn how biotechnology works and how it continues to impact communities
General Atomics GASSSS
Sponsor Application
Physics related demonstrations including: differential pressure ball launcher, electromagnetic can launcher, liquid nitrogen demos, electrical power generation using human power, plasma (ionized gas) and spectroscopy, levitating electromagnets. Also, discussions using nuclear fusion in a future electrical power generating plant.
Gensler
Sponsor Application
Come learn from architects how to design, draw and visualize your design in 2D and 3D. Bring your imagination and experience to our booth featuring design technology and software, virtual reality and building blocks. All ages welcome.
Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair
Festival Nonprofit Application
Students in the GSDSEF Student Leadership Board will do the following with children 5-15: 1) demonstrate cabbage juice colors with vinegar and ammonia 2) show them how to make their own paper whirly-helicopters 3) Make slime. Students in the 6th grade or higher will be given information about the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair.
Hands-On Technology Education
Sponsor Application
Join us for a variety of hands-on K-12 activities including Robotics, Forensic Science, Super STEAM Adventure & Virtual Reality. Also learn about the HOTE 1K Outreach program bringing cost-free STEAM to San Diego kids and the SD STEAM Educators conference.
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Festival Nonprofit Application
Visitors will explore animal camouflage through a fun matching activity and examine real animal props such as skeletons, turtle shells, and animal footprint casts. These interactive experiences help participants learn how animals adapt, survive, and interact with their environments in engaging, age-appropriate ways.
Helix Charter High School
Festival Nonprofit Application
Helix Charter High School would like to showcase numerous programs for the entire day: - Patient Care Pathway (activities for 3 age groups 3-6years old; 7-10 year olds, 11-13 year olds; include yarn suturing, blood pressure/pulse oximeters, double stethescopes and coloring for the youngsters - Environmental/Sustainability & Biotech- (activities for 3 age groups 3-6years old; 7-10 year olds, 11-13 year olds;) - soil samples, microscopic organisms, sustainable living activities
High Tech High
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will host activities related to various STEM projects at our schools.
Hologic, Inc.
Sponsor Application
Do you want to know what a strand of DNA looks like? Find out at Hologic’s booth! Work with a team of professionals to extract DNA!
I Love A Clean San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Prize wheel and recycling sorting interactive demonstration board.
Illumina
Sponsor Application
A variety of science/dna/stem related activities
Immuneering
Sponsor Application
Chemists and biologists use models to design new molecules that eventually become drugs used to treat diseases such as cancer. Think like a scientist with the Immuneering team and build your own 3D molecules using atoms, bonds, and your imagination!
Johnson & Johnson
Sponsor Application
TBD
Kaleo Marketing
Sponsor Application
Kaleo Marketing specializes in vacation and travel marketing for Wyndham Resort and Travel Leisure. We connect with audiences by participating in expos, conventions, and festivals—strategically aligning our campaigns with each event’s unique objectives. Stop by our booth to spin the wheel and win some prizes!
Kenai Therapeutics
Sponsor Application
Neurographic art and building neuronal connections.
KPBS
Sponsor Application
Join KPBS Kids at our interactive booth to explore fun science, math, and literacy activities inspired by your favorite PBS Kids programs! Kids and families will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, receive fun giveaways, and discover how they can connect with beloved KPBS Kids characters like Clifford, Curious George, Daniel Tiger, Elinor Wonders Why, and Molly of Denali throughout the year!
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will explore how the body develops immunity with antibodies. Visitors will cut out paper antibodies to connect them to COVID-19 and vaccines and build a virus model to learn about virus structure. They can take home their crafts. We will also show a sealed petri dish with GFP-expressing bacteria. Using a UV flashlight, visitors will see it glow and learn how GFP is used in immunology research.
Lilly
Sponsor Application
As for previous editions
Live Well San Diego
Sponsor Application
Learn how Live Well San Diego is advancing the vision for a region that is healthy, safe and thriving for all! Visit the Live Well booth for interactive activities, demonstrations, and educational resources led by the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation, Environmental Health and Quality, Vector Control Program, and San Diego County Library outreach teams.
LPA Design Studios
Sponsor Application
Our booth is hosting a number of activities that reflect the multiple disciplines represented in LPA Design Studio's integrated design approach. Come interact with architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, landscape architects, and interior designers. Participate in activities highlighting the creativity and problem-solving we encounter on a daily basis. Learn how our commitment to collaboration and inclusion leads to smart, sustainable, and impactful designs.
Mad Science of San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Discovery Fun Stations: hands-on activities that allow them to further explore science concepts. • NASA: Lazer Maze – Discover technologies created for space travel! Test your aim with a laser maze • NASA Space Station – Discover technologies created for space travel! Buil • MAGNETISM – Kids try to build a bridge using metal objects and strong magnets on wooden pegs. • ECSTATIC ELECTRICITY – Kids try to make their way through a metal maze without making the buzzer go off.
Madhatter Knits California Chapter
Art Pavilion
Come Join Knitting beanies for premature babies that would be donated to hospital's NICU neonatal units.
Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Bristle bots, giant air cannon, underwater robotics, art mural, candy dna
Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Bristle bots, air cannon, seaperch
MilliporeSigma
Sponsor Application
The Curiosity Cube is a mobile science lab that offers interactive experiments with the goal of increasing access to science education for students aged 8-13. The program includes five Cubes across North America, Europe and Africa, extending our impact beyond the classroom to reach students at schools and families at public events. Local MilliporeSigma employees and partners lead the experiments, allowing students to learn from “real-life” scientists and explore STEM careers.
Mt. Everest Academy
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will be sharing about our unique K-12 public school within SDUSD and highlighting our career pathways (Biomedical and IT) through "make and take" hands-on activities and as well as CPR demonstrations, appropriate for all ages. Visitors will make "binary bracelets" by spelling their names using binary code as well as create "pixel art" using pipettes. Additionally, we will have CPR mannequins and phlebotomy arms for both CPR and blood draw demonstrations.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Sponsor Application
Join the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s educators for fun-filled art-making. Inspired by the works in the museum’s collection create your own planets and galaxies using spin art.
Music Notes STEAM Concert
Festival Performance Application
Music Notes is a team of former teachers that create original hip hop songs to teach and inspire students of all ages. We have performed across the country for over 300,000 students and our videos have gathered over 2,000,000 views on Youtube. Join us for this high energy performance featuring live songs and music videos that celebrate all aspects of STEAM.
My Green Lab
Festival Nonprofit Application
My Green Lab "certified" stickers for kids Regular stickers too 1-2 of these ideas: Build a Better Lab- Magnetic or Velcro board where people design a “green lab” by choosing equipment, behaviors, and layouts. Energy Hog Guessing Game- Show pictures of lab equipment and have people rank them from lowest to highest energy use. Green Pledge Tree- Kids write or draw one thing they’ll do to help the planet and hang it on a paper tree.
National Defense Industrial Association
Sponsor Application
Unmanned Ground Vehicles, undersea Remotely Operated Vehicle, Factory Automation/Home Security Analog Acquisition System, Artificial Intelligence Display and a Cyber Wheel Quiz. We will describe the STEM benefits of these systems as well as the technology and operation.
We will supervise children as they drive our new joystick operated, low-profile Pathfinder Gen 3 vehicles.
WE will also sponsor the Robotics Roundup.
National Defense Industrial Association San Diego Chapter
Sponsor Application
We have the following:
A new and improved unmanned ground vehicle that we will describe and provide for students to drive.
A demonstration of out Remote undersea vehicle and a description of our next gen ROv.
A cyber wheel quiz with small prizes.
A Hologram Display and a AI Avatar to answer your robotic vehicle questions.
National University
Sponsor Application
We plan on being in the Art Pavilion. We will be creating a booth that relates art to science.
NAVAIR - FRCSW
Sponsor Application
Our booth will feature hands on STEM activities for all ages! Come on by to learn more about various engineering topics such as circuits, personal robot programming, and learn how to build your own rocket!
Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
Sponsor Application
We will have fun and interactive cybersecurity and artificial intelligence activities with naval themes for grades K-12. Please stop by if you would like to learn more about what it's like to be a scientist or engineer working on technologies for the Navy.
Neurocrine Biosciences
Sponsor Application
TBD
NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry
Festival Nonprofit Application
At this interactive booth, participants will build their own voltaic pile (one of the earliest types of batteries) using simple, safe materials such as zinc and copper discs and vinegar-soaked pads. Working step-by-step with a facilitator, participants stack alternating metals to create a chemical reaction that produces electrical energy. Participants test their battery by connecting it to an LED or voltmeter, then experiment by adding or removing layers to observe how the voltage changes.
Office of Senator Catherine Blakespear
Festival Nonprofit Application
Distribution of state materials including many coloring books and activity books for various ages hat feature state parks, animals, plants, symbols, government, etc. We'll also distribute literature about state resources and services.
Office of State Senator Steve Padilla
Festival Nonprofit Application
Providing legislative resources and various coloring books highlighting the California legislature and the state.
OUTbio San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
Matching game that highlights important LGBTQIA figures in STEM.
Patrick Henry High
Art Pavilion
"Rainbow Art" Kids will shine flashlights through crystals to cause the dispersion of light into a rainbow. Next, they will use colored pencils to color a rainbow sheet.
Physical Science of Nuclear Fusion
Festival Performance Application
We will demonstrate many of the physical science aspects of nuclear fusion, including: electricity, magnetism, differential pressure, and low temperature fluids. The presentation will serve to bridge the gap between what the audience already knows and how scientists use that knowledge to operate the nation's largest fusion tokamak.
PhzAI Project
Festival Nonprofit Application
Interactive AI Robots
Promo Drone Inc.
Sponsor Application
The booth will feature a tabletop drone display with a rotating LED screen showing dynamic visuals, messages, and short videos. Attendees can see how drones are used for communication, education, and public safety while learning about the technology behind aerial messaging. Team members will explain real-world applications and STEAM career pathways in an engaging, hands-on setting.
Promo Drone Starling X.2 Aerial Drone Display
Festival Performance Application
Aerial drone video messaging demonstration featuring the Starling X.2, Promo Drone's flagship drone messaging platform.
Protein nanoparticles in biomedicine
Festival Performance Application
we want to express to the audience the importance of the research we carry out in our lab. We do this with interactive kits involving card games, origami, and do-it-yourself type of kits. Our lab focuses on the use of protein nanoparticles for applications in immunology, cardiovascular and cancer disease, as well as applications in the agricultural sector.
Purdue University College of Science
Sponsor Application
Exploring Waves
Qualcomm Incorporated
Sponsor Application
TBD
Reptiles, Amphibians, & Bugs! OH WHY?
Festival Performance Application
*Reptiles, Amphibians, and Bugs! Oh Why?* dares you to imagine a world without the creatures we love to hate. What if the slimy, slithering, or stinging ones vanished? Through thrilling live encounters and storytelling, we uncover how these “creepy crawlies” quietly sustain our planet—balancing ecosystems, cleaning the Earth, and shaping life itself. You’ll never look at them the same way again!
Russian School of Math
Festival Nonprofit Application
Math Games and Activities
San Diego City College
Sponsor Application
Hands-on demonstrations of STEM: Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Math, Geosciences, and Engineering
San Diego Community Power
Sponsor Application
Come test your knowledge about energy! We will help inspire youth of all ages to learn about clean energy and how we can work towards a healthier, more sustainable future for all San Diegans. Activities to include a clean energy pledge, interactive diorama, and other experiential opportunities to learn how renewable energy works!
San Diego County Credit Union
Sponsor Application
Financial wellness information, games, and free giveaways including educational items, e.g. financial literacy activity book for children.
San Diego County Library
Festival Nonprofit Application
San Diego County Library (SDCL) will demonstrate free library services, such as eBooks and audiobooks on apps like Libby, online learning tools, the library events calendar, and more.
San Diego County Office of Education
Sponsor Application
Young people can explore future career opportunities with hands-on activities, information, and industry experts.
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
Festival Nonprofit Application
Stop by and learn about the broad range of work that keeps an airport like SAN running, evolving, and connected! Our team will share insights into airport operations, planning, and community-focused initiatives by showcasing the work of departments like Environmental Affairs, Aircraft Noise, and the Quieter Home Program. Learn more about how collaboration across disciplines keeps America's Busiest Single Runway Airport moving, and strengthens our connection with the communities we serve.
San Diego County Water Authority
Festival Nonprofit Application
We'll have a Plinko game board on site where kids can learn water facts and answer quiz questions to win prizes.
San Diego Mesa College - Psi Beta
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will demonstrate psychological principles (primarily perception and cognition) through activities. Some of the activities will include a memory box (to demonstrate the limits of short term memory), visual illusions (checkerboard, Ponzo, Muller-Lyer, etc.), and inversion goggles (that turn vision upside down).
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Sponsor Application
San Diego Metropolitan System is the regional public transportation provider for Central, Southern and Eastern San Diego County. We operate four Trolley lines and almost 100 bus routes to keep the San Diego region moving.
San Diego Natural History Museum
Festival Nonprofit Application
The Nat will bring out some fascinating specimens from our collection along with some intriguing naturalist games where participants can practice their scientific skills!
San Diego Public Library
Festival Nonprofit Application
The San Diego Public Library celebrates the 10th anniversary of Spring into STEAM! This year’s theme, “Ta-Da!”, explores the science of magic through physics, optics, and chemistry for ages 6–12. We’ll feature over 50 free library programs for parents to register for and promote our teen DISCOVER programs that focus on both STEAM and college readiness programs. We are currently developing an activity, right now we are thinking of disappearing ink!
San Diego State University
Sponsor Application
San Diego State University representatives from science and engineering will provide engaging and interactive activities for students and families of all ages. Touch live sea animals, code your own bracelet, build neurons out of pipe cleaners, explore the solar system in virtual reality and more! Learn directly from the SDSU researchers and innovators leading San Diego to new heights in STEM.
San Diego Taiko Performance
Festival Performance Application
Established in 2004, San Diego Taiko is a group dedicated in building member skills and a diverse performance repertoire. Our mission is to share our passion for taiko with the San Diego community through performances and workshops, and to provide an opportunity for local taiko players to hone their abilities. The show will demonstrate and exhibit Japanese Taiko techniques, rhythm and crowd engagement.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will have Educators with artifacts that participants can interact with (e.g., touch fur, horn, skulls) and learn about wildlife and conservation. We will also have an activity where participants learn about different conservation actions they can take and commit to, and add to an art piece.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego
Festival Nonprofit Application
The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth and home to an amazing diversity of animals. Come learn about the biology and ecology of deep-sea animals, which have numerous adaptations to life in the dark (large eyes, cryptic coloration, light organs). This hands-on activity will introduce participants to common deep-sea species (including lanternfishes, dragonfishes, glass squids, and barrel shrimps) and the essential roles these animals play in oceanic food webs and global nutrient cycles.
SDAALAS - (San Diego branch) American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will have our mouse mascot available for pictures. plenty of swag and informational handouts, visual demonstrations on husbandry, possible origami mice and frogs.
Star Dust
Festival Performance Application
Star Dust Live blends hip hop, science, and storytelling to show we are all connected through star dust. Using STEAM lessons, music, and dance, the show inspires unity, curiosity, and self-love. Performed for ASTC, SmartLab Oakland, and the Fleet Science Center, with upcoming shows at Chabot (2026) and a new Virginia science center (2027).
STEAM K-12
Festival Nonprofit Application
Interactive, student produced video game demos.
SYSTRA IBT
Sponsor Application
Test your knowledge of bridges as our engineers demonstrate the concepts of bridge engineering using scale models built with K'NEX blocks. Visitors will discover how bridges are designed and built and learn how they, too, can become bridge engineers.
TaylorMade Golf Company
Sponsor Application
Experience the science behind the perfect golf shot! The Team TaylorMade booth will feature a mini wind tunnel that demonstrates what really makes a golf ball fly. See firsthand how dimples and spin affect airflow and change the ball’s flight path. It’s a fun, interactive way to explore the physics of golf!
The League of Amazing Programmers
Festival Nonprofit Application
Micro:Bit Robot Rally Activity Description: Race, chase, and capture the flag with pocket-sized robots powered by Micro:bit! Kids steer with joysticks and see how coding turns ideas into real-world action. Orbit Lab Activity Description: Orbit Lab makes space science playful! Kids launch virtual rockets, experiment with gravity, and explore orbits — all while coding in Python. It’s physics, turned into a video game.
The League of Amazing Programmers & Geeks Academy
Festival Nonprofit Application
We will have interactive Robotics, Coding Exercises, and other fun tech gadgets for the kids to play and learn
The San Diego River Park Foundation
Festival Nonprofit Application
Interactive hands-on nature activities including owl pellet disection, make an edible bird feeder, learn about pollinators and lifecycles.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Sponsor Application
Thermo Fisher Scientific offers hands-on, classroom-friendly STEM activities that make complex scientific ideas tangible and fun. Two popular activities—Strawberry DNA extraction and DNA name bracelets—help students connect molecular biology concepts to real-world applications while practicing scientific thinking, data interpretation, and creative design.
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Festival Nonprofit Application
Activities will introduce the public to the monitoring that takes place within the Reserve including an exhibit of a data logger, a model of a salt marsh for hands on vegetation sampling, and a salt marsh super heroes interactive for elementary-aged students, and a "fishing" activity which incorporates a simulation of trapping fish and invertebrates.
U.S.Naval Academy
Festival Nonprofit Application
Midshipmen mentor you through your choice of several hands-on, interactive science and engineering modules for all ages, The diverse subject matter planned includes a range of STEM activities including chemistry, electricity, logic, code breaking, and buoyancy.
Urban Discovery Academy
Festival Nonprofit Application
Visitors will utilize problem solving and learn engineering concepts by using playdough and basic circuit components to activate lightbulbs and fans. Squishy Circuits will be used to teach basic concepts of electrical circuits, using conductive and insulating play dough. Our student leaders will lead robot races with visiting families while they showcase their lego robots.
USD STEM Outreach Club
Festival Nonprofit Application
Our booth will include activities hosted by several of USD's science clubs: STEM Outreach, Bio Club, Pre-Dental Club and Physics Club. We are return exhibitors, and our booth was a big hit last year!
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Sponsor Application
Vertex will have an interactive activity. We will have scientific activity related to our Pain Project. We will have more details soon.
Virtual Nobodies Live
Festival Performance Application
Grit meets gospel in the desert. Virtual Nobodies are an alternative rock band born from the friction between yearning and rebellion, melody and muscle. Helmed by Xavier Valdez and Jeremiah Gray, the duo blends cinematic Americana with modern grit — a detour through the Mojave with nothing but a Telecaster and a prayer. Their sound is both raw and hypnotic: desert blues riffs, vintage swagger, and lyrics that punch like poetry. From dusty highways to neon-soaked dive bars, Virtual Nobodies chan
Vividion Therapeutics
Sponsor Application
TBD
Why Choose OT
Sponsor Application
Discover how occupational therapy helps people live life to the fullest! Test your fine motor skills, try adaptive tools, and explore sensory activities that show how OT professionals help people participate in the activities they need and love. Meet OT professionals and learn how you can make a difference through a career in occupational therapy.
