New event celebrates science, technology, engineering, art, agriculture and math

Pomona, CA – What do Albert Einstein and Stan Lee have in common? They were both full of STEA²M! Join legions of current and future scientists, artists and techies on March 16 at Fairplex’s first STEA²M-centric event: STEA²M Fair – EXTREME STEAM. EXTREME FUN. Enjoy  a fun-filled day chock full of hands-on activities that include connecting with robots, creating hovercrafts on 3-D printers, metal sculpting and hearing about the solar system with special guest Bill Nye the Science Guy.

STEA²M Fair – EXTREME STEAM. EXTREME FUN. is free and open to the public March 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Into gaming? We have that.
• Into coding? We have that.
• How about learning how to grow your favorite vegetable? We have that, too!

STEA²M knows no bounds! And neither will youngsters when they leave, excited to further explore the discoveries and ideas behind science, technology, engineering, art, agriculture and mathematics.

“STEAM education is so important for students. STEM jobs are expected to grow by 16 percent in the U.S., and they are some of the higher-earning careers. The key is to grab children’s attention when they are young and steer them toward STEAM,” said Miguel A. Santana, President and CEO of Fairplex.

Education is part of Fairplex’s mission – creating a STEA²M event was the perfect idea, especially in the geographical location of Fairplex. The Inland Empire, eastern San Gabriel Valley and northern Orange County – areas from which Fairplex draws an audience – does not have an event of this kind.

Besides Bill Nye, attendees will have the chance to meet Albert Einstein (master storyteller Jim Coogan playing the part), discover the Science of Sugar in the STEA²M kitchen and experience the intense heat behind the science of welding metal sculptors with a live demonstration!

Bill Nye will be recording a podcast with the Planetary Society, of which he is the CEO, and conducting science demonstrations on March 16 from 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Other partners – including Cal Poly Pomona, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Discovery Cube, and more – will offer activities throughout the day. A complete list of activities can be found at www.fairplex.com/steam.

Although entry and parking are free, the public is asked to register before the day. For more information about registration and the Fair, please visit Fairplex.com/STEAM.