SDSU at the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering
SDSU students are showcasing their enthusiasm for all things STEM through interactive activities and demonstrations that will delight kids and kids at heart alike.
San Diego State University returns to the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering, a free, family-friendly event, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at Petco Park. SDSU students are showcasing their enthusiasm for all things STEM through interactive activities and demonstrations that will delight kids and kids at heart alike.
Here are the SDSU-affiliated groups attending the festival:
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
SDSU’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is a student organization with the goal of guiding Hispanic students interested in entering the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
SDSU’s chapter often takes part in outreach projects with SHPE chapters in local high schools and community colleges. They look forward to conducting similar activities at this year’s STEM Fest.
“We will be hosting an Arduino workshop for students to join in and learn more about breadboard electronics,” said club president Jaime Cervantes. “Students will be able to learn about how circuits work, the function of breadboards, and even be able to connect some different components including LEDs.”
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Society of Women Engineers at SDSU is an organization that provides academic and social support for women in engineering. They’re looking forward to sharing their passion for engineering and uplifting young females in STEM through their activities as well as effervescent and engaging outreach projects.
Speaking of effervescence, SWE will be facilitating youth attendees creating DIY mini lava lamp necklaces while teaching about liquid density (there will be oil and water in the necklaces) and using Alka-Seltzer tablets to teach about carbon dioxide and how the gas creates bubbles.
Women in Physics (WiP)
SDSU’s Women in Physics chapter aims to change the stereotype of what a physicist looks like. Since early 2022, this student club has visited local elementary and middle schools to perform demonstrations of such physics concepts as sound waves, air pressure and light. They will have activities for kids of all ages.
“The opportunity to give back to my community and contribute to this S&E Fest is an exciting way to share my love of physics and astronomy with others and encourage more people to explore these fields," said Leonardo Barba, a master’s student in astronomy.
“Events like these are incredibly valuable because they pull down barriers and allow members of the community to interact directly with scientists,” said Women in Physics president Ngara Bird.
Chemistry Graduate Student Association (CGSA)
Everything around us is made of chemicals and that’s what SDSU chemistry students hope to share with the public during the upcoming festival. Attendees can try out paper-based chromatography to explore how different chemicals react with water. SDSU chemists also plan to demonstrate a heat-releasing, foamy explosion reaction every half hour.
