STEM Fest inspires Utah students to explore STEM careers

September 27-28, 2022 – Utah STEM Fest 2022 was a hit for more than 11,000 students from all across Utah. From seeing a real human brain to touching a rock from the moon, students were wowed with hands-on STEM experiences from more than 60 exhibitors.

Fourth – 10th graders got to explore an army mobile command center, try out virtual reality with Meta, see animals up close from Thanksgiving Point and HawkWatch International, and observe robotics demonstrations. Other highlights included hands-on earth science demonstrations with Utah Valley University, making fake snow with SheTech, pH testing with ARUP, 3D topography with the Utah Council of Land Surveyors, and exploring mining with Rio Tinto. All these opportunities are meant to capture students’ curiosity and turn that into a love of STEM.

STEM Fest is designed to celebrate STEM in our everyday lives and to share the impact science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics has on our community. For Family Night on September 27, local artist Chris Peterson invited attendees to help create a 3D mural. Entertainer Paul Brewer impressed the crowd with incorporating STEM into a magic show.

STEM Fest is a great opportunity for students and educators, but also for STEM industry professionals who get the chance to engage with the public and future leaders in STEM. They get to showcase what their company does and bring awareness to job opportunities. Students from all over Utah attended, with some classes traveling from Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Juab, and Piute counties.

The STEM Action Center gathers feedback each year from educators and exhibitors. Educators say their students are more likely to participate in STEM activities as a result of attending STEM Fest.