FREE!
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Hands-on STEAM experiences for all ages (2-102): Dive into interactive activities, experiments, and challenges built to spark curiosity
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Meet the Experts: Connect directly with innovative STEAM professionals, passionate educators, and inspiring youth presenters from your San Diego community
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Belong Together: Enjoy a free, welcoming, and bilingual environment filled with resources for kids, educators and adults
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Celebrate 10 Years: Be a part of a decade-long legacy of driving youth innovation, community connection, and future leadership
Conference Schedule
PRIZES
LUNCH
9:00AM - 10:00AM
10:00AM - 11:00AM
11:15AM - 12:15PM
12:15PM - 1PM
1PM - 2PM
2:15PM - 3:15PM
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Registration
Kick Off &
Student Showcase!
Workshop Session 1
Lunch
*Food Available 11:30AM-1:30PM
Workshop Session 2
Workshop Session 3
Keynote, Opportunity Drawing & Closing
Meet our STEAM Spotlight
Cekouat León 🦋
Where Science Meets Paper
Meet Cekouat León, a Mexico City origami artist who turns uncut squares of paper into stunning, lifelike plants and animals — no scissors, no glue, just folds! With a background in biology, Cekouat's art has traveled the world, from Mexico to Spain, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
Come watch nature come to life, one fold at a time!
Conference Highlights
Zombie Bugs
Bugs get sick too — and it's kind of terrifying (in a cool way).
Peek through a microscope and hunt for a real "zombie" virus that infects caterpillars. Safe for humans, wild for science lovers!
The Cyclist's Shop
Learn to fix a bike... and maybe take one home!
Hands-on bike repair basics for the whole family. The first 27 people to register get a FREE refurbished bike.
Diving Into Underwater Robotics
Ever built a robot that swims?
Meet Team Inspiration and get an up-close look at real underwater robots, then find out what it takes to build and pilot your own.
Game of Thrones: Level Up and Launch
Toothpicks. Marshmallows. Popsicle sticks. Glory.
Battle it out in mini-engineering challenges testing structural strength and strategy. May the best builder win!
Meet our STEAM Spotlight
Dr. Aliya Frederick 🩺
A Neurologist, A Titleholder, A Trailblazer
Meet Dr. Aliya Frederick, MD, PhD, a pediatric neurologist at Rady Children's Hospital and UC San Diego who helps kids and families understand what's happening inside the brain. She previously served as Miss Black CA USA, and uses that platform right alongside her white coat to champion representation for Black people in medicine, mentoring students of color and building pathways into science careers. She was named a 2025 San Diego Black Leader of Influence for that work.
Come meet a real neurologist and discover what a career in brain science could look like for you!
Logistics
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall garage or along the street, University of San Diego
Accessibility
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, University of San Diego
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a curious mind. Some stations are outdoors!
Frequently asked questions
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Is the conference free? Yes, admission is completely free. Registration just helps us plan for the right amount of materials, activities and food.
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What ages is this for? All ages. Interactive stations and workshops are designed so kids, teens and adults can all participate.
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Will food be available? Lunch and light refreshments will be available on site. Feel free to bring snacks for your group.
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Do I need to register in advance? We recommend it. Registering in advance helps guarantee your spot in popular workshops, some of which have limited capacity.
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About Us!
The STEAM Youth and Community Conference was created by Dr. Odesma Dalrymple, Dr. Perla Myers and Dr. Joi Spencer, educators with a passion for STEAM, and a belief in the power of young people, together with their communities, to make a difference in the world!
Collaborators
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