CSUSM Super STEM science fair Saturday

What: Super STEM Saturday, a free interactive science festival for all ages

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday, March 9, 2019

Where: California State University San Marcos

333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos

Complimentary parking in Lots E, F, H.

Science can be fun and the kids are going to prove it the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9, rain or shine. Best of all, the event is free. Complimentary parking is available in Lots E, F, and H.

Super STEM Saturday is the name of that game. The “Better Than Magic! Chemistry Show” with CSUSM faculty and students will be performed three times during the day and is just one of over 100 STEM-related activities.

Super STEM Saturday’s purpose is to develop in everyone who attends an appreciation and understanding of the role science and engineering plays in our daily lives and how its practical applications solve critical problems and real-world issues.” said CSUSM Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics Katherine Kantardjieff.

Over 100 booths of activities and demonstrations will be featured. These include rocket launches, Air Force Special Ops Air Commando Experience, virtual reality with the Navy, high school robotics teams, and search and rescue dogs.

Super STEM Saturday is designed to expose and engage kids of all ages and their families to the diverse and exciting fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known as the STEM disciplines.

The brainchild of The Classical Academies and held in partnership with CSUSM, Super STEM Saturday has grown into a popular North County event that draws over 12,000 science enthusiasts each year to the university campus.

Plus, there will be opportunity to fulfill requirements for Girl Scout badges and Chemistry Merit Badge for the Scouts.

Super STEM Saturday closes the ten-day San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering, the largest celebration of innovation and science education in Southern California.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in STEM jobs is expected to grow to more than 9 million by 2022. An estimated 1.2 million jobs in science, technology, engineering and math will be unfilled by 2018.

“What we take away from our childhood is really meaningful to what we decide to do as adults,” said Simon Kuo, Vice President of Quality Management at ViaSat. “That’s why we believe it’s really important to expose kids to science and technology so that it can help them better appreciate it and perhaps even choose a career in STEM.”

“Jean-Jacques Rousseau once shared, ‘We should not teach children the sciences; but give them a taste for them,’ ” said Cameron Curry, Executive Director for The Classical Academies. “I am so pleased that we provide the community of North County a day and festival focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The culmination of educators, organizations and professionals working together allow us to inspire minds, ignite passions and expose students and our community to what is possible with STEM.”

CSUSM and The Classical Academies thank Super STEM Saturday’s Gold level sponsor ViaSat. Other community sponsors making this event possible include: Genentech, County Board of Supervisors, Medtronic, X3, Northrop Grumman, Waxie Management Services Inc., LegoLand, Chemical Education Foundation and the San Diego Business Journal.

For more details about Super STEM Saturday, visit www.csusm.edu/superstem.