News Summary
The fifth annual Southeast San Diego Science and Art Expo was recently held at the Elementary Institute of Science, providing families with hands-on STEM experiences. Children engaged in activities like making slime and observing robotics demonstrations, while community groups highlighted the connection between science and art. With various interactive stations, the event aimed to inspire curiosity and promote future careers in science and technology among young attendees. Educators emphasized the importance of making scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable, fostering a love for learning in a vibrant community setting.
San Diego, CA – The fifth annual Southeast San Diego Science and Art Expo took place recently at the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS), showcasing a range of interactive learning experiences meant to engage families in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The event aimed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable for participants of all ages.
Throughout the day, children were seen engaged in various hands-on activities. Celine Holguin, a lead educator at EIS, guided young participants in creating gluch, a bouncier version of slime made from glue, water, and Borax. Additionally, Holguin demonstrated an exothermic reaction using simple ingredients such as baking soda and citric acid combined with water in an Erlenmeyer flask, further igniting curiosity about the scientific process.
In another interactive station, children and their families participated in robotics demonstrations and watched silk-screen printing and 3D modeling presentations. One highlight included a unique encounter with Cora, a 12-foot yellow Burmese python from EcoVivarium Reptile Sanctuary and Museum, where a young attendee, Helena Ortiz, had the opportunity to engage closely with the reptile.
The expo’s mission focused not just on science; it also sought to intertwine art with these educational experiences. EIS provided free after-school, weekend, and summer STEM programs for students from local schools leading up to Lincoln High School. Sandra Lebron, EIS’s director of education, emphasized the importance of integrating art with science in their curriculum. Inside the EIS auditorium, Beto Vazquez from UC San Diego’s CREATE initiative demonstrated the science of tortillas, specifically discussing corn, the nixtamalization process, and the physics behind making tortilla dough.
At the expo, various local community groups participated to provide engaging content. The Vieja Escuela car club showcased lowrider cars, linking community pride with concepts of engineering and hydraulics. In addition, Joe Hernandez from Mas Paz Leather offered children the chance to stamp their initials onto leather keychains, fostering creativity through hands-on craftsmanship.
A robotics obstacle course hosted by the League of Amazing Programmers captured the attention of many attendees, where children maneuvered robots using remote controls. Eight-year-old Jahcyer Winston took pride in showcasing a color-changing bead bracelet that signals sun exposure, illustrating the blend of fun and education. Competition robots were also presented by teams from the FIRST Tech Challenge, including entries from various local high schools that demonstrated their engineering prowess and programming skills.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Aiden Lee, a student involved in the expo, highlighted the importance of inspiring younger students about potential careers in robotics through dynamic demonstrations. Beto Vazquez noted that the event plays an essential role in reducing fear and fostering a positive perception of science, promoting it as an engaging and entertaining subject.
The Southeast San Diego Science and Art Expo continues to serve as an important platform that encourages curiosity in science and strives to break down barriers to STEM education. By providing interactive experiences, the event empowers families and supports students in their educational journeys.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Southeast San Diego Science and Art Expo
- Mercury News: Controversial Solar Bill Advances
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- Wikipedia: STEM Education
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