STEAM Extravaganza Returns

After three years without the celebration of all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, the Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub is bringing the hands-on experience back to Umpqua Community College on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and will have activities for all ages and a free food truck. The activities range from a pipe organ demonstration to taking apart appliances and electronics to building and testing robots. There is a mini makers station with activities for preschool-aged to about first-grade-aged children with some literary references. There will also be groups talking about aviation and radio as hobbies. The Aviva Health mobile unit will also be out there to talk about family health and wellness. "Its primary purpose is to bring together a whole collection of partners and organizations across the county that have some touch to STEAM education," said Gwen Soderberg-Chase, Director of the Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub and Douglas County Partners for Student Success. "Within the activities, everybody has a chance to share who they are and what they do, and at the same time, engage families and kids in STEAM thinking activities." The last time the event was held in 2019, the STEAM Hub estimated about 750 people attended. Soderberg-Chase said she doesn't anticipate having quite that many due to the break but is confident anyone who does attend will enjoy it as much as they would have in previous years. "It's a great day out on the UCC Campus!" Soderberg-Chase said. "It brings families out to a safe and healthy event with lots of activities for kids and families of all ages. It also lets the community see how many different organizations and entities offer opportunities for kids to explore different STEAM activities, STEAM learning, and, eventually, careers. We want to send the message that it's all interconnected." Soderberg-Chase said families in the past have told her they wanted to spend the whole day at the event. The first STEAM Extravaganza was held in 2017 and it has grown to include more community partners. Soderberg-Chase said she hopes to have more businesses that could be future employers bringing career-related, hands-on activities in the future.