A young boy gets a close-up look at algae. Photo by Chris Stone
With booths like one labeled “Make Your Own Mucus,” EXPO Day at the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering had a target demographic. Kids.
Saturday’s free event at Petco Park brought tens of thousands science (and sci-fi) fans out to sample STEM exhibits and “Star Wars”-themed activities.
The annual festival, a 10-day event presented by Illumina, is a program of the BIOCOM Institute in partnership with UC San Diego, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and the San Diego County Office of Education.
Some 130 hands-on booths and games helped kids and families interact with scientists, STEM professionals, and college students.
“Star Wars–Steampunk Universe” hosted a booth where attendees learned how to turn vintage items into visual expressions of their love for the film saga.
The countywide festival’s mission is to engage kids in science and engineering, organizers said, adding:
“By doing this, the nonprofit organization expands the general public’s understanding of the relevancy of science and engineering in everyday lives, illuminates why the United States must maintain its leadership role in science and technology, and work with parents and teachers to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) innovators.”
A boy watches large roaches. Photo by Chris Stone
About 130 booths gave children hands-on learning experiences. Photo by Chris Stone
Children learn about diseases that affect different parts of the body. Photo by Chris Stone
A group dressed in “Star Wars Steampunk” costumes circulated among the crowds. Photo by Chris Stone
A General Atomics scientist draws a face on a glove that will explode once it expands. Photo by Chris Stone
Tyler Little, 6, decorates the toy rocket he built at the science and engineering festival. Photo by Chris Stone
A young child touches a king snake held by a ranger. Photo by Chris Stone
General Atomics scientists set off a liquid nitrogen explosion at the Festival of Science and Engineering at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girls gets a mouse facing painting applied at the science and engineering festival. Photo by Chris Stone
A child holds up litmus paper to check the results. Photo by Chris Stone
Ms. Smarty-Plants talks about her water conservation garden. Photo by Chris Stone
A young visitor examined algae through a magnifying glass. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center pours warm water into liquid nitrogen to set off an explosion as part of their “Don’t Try This at Home!” show. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center set off a liquid nitrogen explosion as part of their “Don’t Try This at Home!” show. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl enjoys the vapor from a liquid nitrogen eruption. Photo by Chris Stone
Gabriel Puga, 6, dresses up like a scientist. Photo by Chris Stone
People were eager to find out what a yellow bearded dragon felt like. Photo by Chris Stone
Mad Science representative Abby Schneider shows colored water with liquid nitrogen. Photo by Chris Stone
Visitors were amazed as sticks passed through a balloon with the help of oil. Photo by Chris Stone
A ranger showed off his king snake. Photo by Chris Stone
UCSD students showed an algae oil based polymer that may be used as a substitute for petroleum based polymers in the future. Photo by Chris Stone
Children enjoyed playing with neon dough. Photo by Chris Stone
The Navy allowed visitors to check out their dive helmets. Photo by Chris Stone
Children sunk their hands into a combination of corn starch and colored water. Photo by Chris Stone
A Salvator water monitor at the EcoVivarium attracted attention. Photo by Chris Stone
A visitor touches the baleen from a whale at the science and engineering festival at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Young people and adults delighted in robots turned loose at the science and engineering festival. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego Natural History Museum personnel show specimens. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl gets an up close and personal look at a Salvator water monitor. Photo by Chris Stone
Young spectators watch as General Atomics does science demonstrations. Photo by Chris Stone
Nathalie Staiger from Mad Science drops soapy liquid nitrogen on a boy’s hair. Photo by Chris Stone
A boy shows excitement as he hears sound through string. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl and her mother blow on the liquid nitrogen vapor at last year’s San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. Photo by Chris Stone
A cucumber explodes after being subjected to electricity. Photo by Chris Stone
A cucumber explodes after being subjected to electricity. Photo by Chris Stone
XPO Day at the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering drew tens of thousands of visitors to Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
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