EVENT CANCELED: Imaginology returns to OC Fair & Event Center April 17-19 for 3 days of S.T.E.A.M. education fun
COSTA MESA (March 5, 2020) – OC Fair & Event Center is moving full S.T.E.A.M. ahead with preparations for Imaginology 2020, which will run April 17-19.
More than 40,000 parents, educators and children are expected to attend the free community event that focuses on hands-on learning in the S.T.E.A.M. fields: science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
More than 100 exhibitors will present opportunities for kids to experience activities intended to engage and educate, highlighting future paths of study and career options in these fields.
The fun ranges from robotics and LEGO engineering to animal husbandry and art. Demonstrations will include virtual reality experiences, coding and PC building. Guests can also enjoy a variety of food offerings and activities like face painting, wild science experiments and games for all ages.
Imaginology competitions are open for entries. Categories include digital art, cardboard engineering, photography, poetry and fashion. The deadline to enter is March 27. During Imaginology there will be onsite contests for steampunk hat decorating an scarecrow making. Learn more at ocfair.com/imaginology/competitions-contests.
This year the eSports Playground will expand with the addition of Aeris, a technology company that will join eSports Management Group in the game discovery and education area.
Kindness Connection is a new awareness gallery aimed at teaching kids the importance of being kind to others. OC Fair & Event Center is partnering with the Orange County Department of Education and the Beyond Differences organization to share kindness initiatives established in California schools. Topics covered include cyber bulling, how to know your classmates better, breaking out of cliques and more. There will be fun activities to help motivate kids to meet new friends, make kindness pledges and keep journals.
Last year a Sensory Room was added to Imaginology to give children and families who need a quiet place to decompress a place to go. This year, sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys will be available for loan at no charge.
Also new to Imaginology this year is a Reading Corner presented by the Costa Mesa nonprofit Think Together, an organization working to improve educational opportunities for all students. The Reading Corner will feature readings at the top of the hour and interactive play geared toward preschoolers and kindergartners.
A book drive will be held during Imaginology to benefit Think Together and guests are invited to bring new or gently used K-12 books to donate to help others.
Returning favorites include Dia del Nino, a cultural festival celebrating children and the arts put on by Arts OC and Media Arts Santa Ana. Entertainment, art activities, dance and more will be featured on Saturday and Sunday only.
Vital Link will also be back with its RobotOC Competition, career exploration, speaker series, leadership workshops and more.
Imaginology is April 17-19 at OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. Hours are Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday is field trip day (teachers are encouraged to register in advance) and parking is free; there is a $10 parking charge Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Heroes Hall and Centennial Farm are both open during Imaginology and will feature S.T.E.A.M. activities.