Friday, March 22, 2024 (10:47 am)
OC Fair’s Imaginology is April 13-14 – Free educational event features learning fun for students and families focused on STEAM and hands-on activities
COSTA MESA (March 22, 2024) – The OC Fairgrounds will transform into Imaginology on April 13 and 14, providing students and families with free hands-on fun and a look at futures in STEAM fields.
Imaginology will be held Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free and most activities are included; food options will be available for purchase. Parking is $12.
OC Fair’s Imaginology debuted in 1989 as Youth Expo and was renamed Imaginology in 2014, shifting its focus to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and agriculture education.
This year, the family festival returns with a packed schedule of take-home crafts, science learning, live performances by local entertainers, youth competitions and more.
Activities include:
- Science exploration: Use a “blubber glove” to see how marine animals survive in cold water. Experience a world of butterflies, interact with reptiles from around the globe at The Reptile Zoo and try a little physical science with activities like hula hoops, Recess Revolution’s free-play area or Heroes Hall Museum’s Fort Blisters Boot Camp. Wild Science brings fun experiments and interaction.
- Tech lessons and play: The Coder School will demonstrate how to write code using computer software and techATTACK will show Imaginology attendees how robotics work. Visit Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) to build a hydrogen-powered race car.
- Engineering exploration: From circuitry to construction activities, there will be plenty to build and discover at Imaginology. Pretend City will bring kinetic sand play and the Rigamajig. Harbor Soaring Society will host aerospace adventures and Imaginology’s cardboard engineering competition will be on display.
- Arts, entertainment, displays and more: Local entertainers such as dance troupes, youth bands and musical ensembles will provide live entertainment. There will be plenty of hands-on crafting and a number of take-home projects. Plus, Imaginology’s mural competition will be on display.
- Math and strategy: We can find math in just about everything (like having students count out the cash for a burger or a brat!). But logic and mathematical reasoning are the ways to win at chess, and the local Academic Chess chapter will host their annual tournament on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Agriculture education: Livestock competitions and exhibits will be on display throughout Imaginology. Plus, OC Fair & Event Center’s year-round Centennial Farm will feature activities such as radish-seed planting, chick petting – and don’t miss a peek at the farm babies! There will also be blacksmithing and milking demonstrations and visitors can dig for roots in a play garden.
- Competitions: Last call for entries for Imaginology student contests – deadline is March 27 for this year’s competitions: Cardboard engineering, the Imaginology mural project and the academic chess tournament ($30 fee). For more information, visit ocfair.com/imaginology/competitions-contests.
- Explore: Students and families can participate in the Imaginology Scavenger Hunt and earn prizes while exploring all the fun of the free event. Pick up scavenger hunt sheets from information booths.
For more information, visit ocfair.com/steam.
Photos for media use are available here: ocfair.canto.com/b/T1HGE