OC Fair’s free 3-day Imaginology event is this month
COSTA MESA (April 3, 2019) – Imaginology, the exciting, three-day learning event for kids centered around STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), is only days away with the annual free event at OC Fair & Event Center on April 12-14, 2019.
This exciting, three-day exploration of STEAM-related topics and careers features hands-on learning and is open Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free and most activities are included. Parking is free on Friday; $9 on Saturday and Sunday. Friday is field trip day and is open to the public. Schools and large groups of 10 or more are encouraged to register, but it is not required. For more information, visit ocfair.com/steam.
Imaginology is where curious people of all ages go to discover the opportunities available in science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields. Students are encouraged to explore those possibilities by learning at a variety of workshops and exhibits. Food will be available for sale at the event.
Some highlights of activities and competitions featured at Imaginology include:
Esports, video games and coding: Imaginology’s new eSports Playground will feature an esports tournament for high school students, free-to-play PCs with STEAM games and chances to meet esports pros and learn how they got their start at the Twitch.tv and Friends panel. Participants can also code their very own video games, compete in a Minecraft STEM build-off or use coding to build their own Harry Potter spells.
Free contests: Family members and friends can team up at Imaginology to compete in an on-site contest to decorate the best scarecrow on Saturday, April 13. Kids can enter the steampunk hat contest on Sunday, April 14. There are awards and prize money. It’s free to enter and basic materials will be provided but people are encouraged to bring their own decorations to make their entry special. Visit ocfair.com/steam for details.
Different kinds of fun: Kids of all ages will learn techniques to bring their favorite video game character or superhero to life at the Kids Can Cosplay workshop. The science of bubbles will be on display with an imaginative workshop that offers kids the chance to be inside a bubble, blow big bubbles and see the effects of dry ice in soapy water. Physical activity is made fun at the Fort Blisters Boot Camp obstacle course and in the twist and turns of the Amazing Maze.
Flying high: Guests can experience flight simulators and make and fly paper gliders in The Hangar, while the AIAA OC Rocketry club will teach kids how to build and launch a paper rocket. The Autonomy Foundation will demonstrate flying drones and what they can do. For kids who want to propel themselves in the air, there will be Circus Aerial Arts classes in the OC Promenade and Fern Street Circus workshops in Niño Village that lead kids through tumbling, juggling, tightwire and clowning.
Cultural: Día del Niño, Day of the Child, will be back for a second year at Imaginology on Saturday and Sunday, bringing interactive arts workshops and performances by professional artists, local arts organizations, schools and community groups. Performers include Anaheim’s Rhythmo Mariachi Kids, Estudiantina Angeles de California, and Ballet Folklorico Pilares de Mexico, featuring students from Pilares de Mexico and the Sol Academy elementary school. Workshops will include how to make piñatas, how to create lotería cards, and learning Cumbia and other Latin grooves. Dia del Niño is presented in collaboration with Arts Orange County and Media Arts Santa Ana.
Animals: Participants can watch and interact with various creatures, including Wild Science’s Animal Discovery Show, the Reptile Zoo, horse vaulting demonstrations, sheep shearing and 4-H dog and rabbit showcases.
The full schedule of events, activities and things to do can be found at ocfair.com/imaginology/information.
Imaginology is easily accessible from the 55, 405 and 73 freeways and from the OCTA 47, 55 and 178 bus lines.
OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds.
Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs such as Imaginology.
Photos and video for Imaginology and the OC Fair are available for media use on flickr.
