George Mason University: STEAM Fest connects Fairfax County youth with learning opportunities

More than 300 K-12 students, parents, volunteers, community leaders and partners attended STEAM Fest at the Hybla Valley Community Center in Alexandria on Saturday.

The 200+ students in attendance engaged in more than 40 STEAM activities, including drone racing, trying out virtual reality, and riding on a hovercraft. Students learned about emerging technologies that can help build their interest and shape their career paths toward rewarding tech- or science-related careers. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

The event, co-sponsored by George Mason University, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and the Fairfax County’s Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub, was targeted to underserved youth in the Richmond Highway Corridor, Springfield and other Southeast Fairfax County Communities.

STEM NOLA, led by Calvin Mackie, provided programming, as did Mason faculty and other leaders.

Mason President Gregory Washington told the students that science, technology, engineering, arts and math are all tools to solve problems, and students should embrace their opportunities to be problem-solvers.