Imaginology comes to OC Fair & Event Center April 12-13 bringing free STEAM fun for the whole family
COSTA MESA (March 3, 2025) – Each April, OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) transforms into Imaginology, a free family event produced by OC Fair staff that focuses on STEAM education and hands-on learning.
More than 40,000 children, teens, families and school groups dig into science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Imaginology provides unique experiences for attendees of all ages – from preschool to high school, along with their parents, grandparents and teachers– to build, create, play, observe and interact through activities that help them see the possibilities of a future in STEAM fields.
Youth competitions give students the chance to be recognized for their unique talents and accomplishments. This free event is presented as a community give-back by OCFEC and is supported by local partners.
Imaginology features makeshops, demonstrations, competitions, hands-on activities and entertainment, as well as food and fun.
What is STEAM?
At Imaginology, youth are empowered to explore their imaginations. All exhibitors are required to feature at least one hands-on activity that lands in one of the five STEAM subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
STEAM is … “a philosophy of education that embraces teaching skills and subjects in a way that resembles real life” (steampoweredfamily.com).
This component of Imaginology is vital to the experience because it is what makes learning fun and relevant. Students are invited to build, interact and explore all kinds of activities using skills that directly correlate with a career.
Exhibits
Imaginology offers space for exhibitors of all types. Nonprofit exhibitors are invited to participate in Imaginology at no cost.
2025 EXHIBITORS
Confirmed 2025 exhibitors will include: Arts Teach, Arts & Learning Conservatory, American Opal Society, AmSTEA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Boy Scouts, Camp Newport, Child Creativity Lab, Children’s Museum, theCoderSchool, Compass Charter, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue, Costa Mesa Police Department SWAT, Creativity Lab, Dance Discovery Foundation, Excel Academy Charter, Fishing in the City, Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., Hack Club, Harbor Soaring Society, Hedgehog Lacers, Newport Whales & The American Cetacean Society of Orange County, Oak Canyon Nature Center, Orange County Aerial Arts, Model T Ford Club, Oui-Connect, Philharmonic Society, Pretend City, The Reptile Zoo, Recess Revolution, Rolling Robots, Santiago Canyon College, Scholastic, Scouting America Orange County Council, Scroll Saw Association, Strategic Kids Academic Chess, techATTACK, Wonders of Wildlife and YMCA.
CENTENNIAL FARM
Imaginology visitors can check out the amazing animals and California crops on the three-acre working farm and enjoy oxen demonstrations, blacksmithing, chick education, radish-seed planting, milking demonstrations, digging for roots, veggie stamping, garden touch table, terrarium-making, shearing and spinning demonstrations and the OC Beekeepers exhibit.
NINJA NATION BOOT CAMP AT HEROES HALL
For the first time at Imaginology, visitors can push their limits and have a blast at the Ninja Nation Boot Camp! Located on Heroes Hall’s Sky Hawk lawn, this inflatable obstacle course is packed with challenges that will test both physical strength and mental agility. Whether you’re jumping, climbing or racing through, it’s the ultimate adventure.
MIND WORKS!
Hands-on fun for all ages, featuring a variety of classic games, puzzles, building activities and interactive challenges. Visitors can compete in giant versions of games like Operation, chess, and Connect Four, or enjoy creating with magnets, LEGOS and Lincoln Logs. Kids can immerse themselves in huge bubbles or explore a nostalgic Slinky staircase, while mental challenges like metal plexers and wooden puzzles await those seeking a brain workout.
ART COMPETITIONS
Competitions and contests are a big part of the show. In 2025, Imaginology will host three very special competitions, open to students in preschool through 12th grade.
MURAL PROJECT
Each student can work together on large sheets of paper or canvas, or students can make their own pieces, that will be placed/collaged together for the final mural display.
CARDBOARD ENGINEERING
Cardboard can be used to make any number of things and it has amazing strength when layered. What will you dream up?
POSTER ART
Create a work of art incorporating science, technology, art, engineering and math into your project. The sky is the limit!
The competitions are free to enter. The deadline for online entry submissions is March 26 at 6 p.m. Projects will need to be dropped off April 4 between noon and 6 p.m.
Detailed information and specific entry guidelines, can be found at ocfair.com/imaginology/competitions-contests
4-H COMPETITIONS
Local youth are judged on their abilities to raise small livestock, their understanding of animal and veterinary sciences and their projects on a variety of topics. Judging will take place at Imaginology.
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