Students actively engaged in STEAM-based learning – one of 26 sessions available to students
Photo credit: Anastasia McCullough
The Expo of Awesome, a dynamic collaboration between UBC Okanagan and STEAM Ecosystems BC, celebrated the ingenuity and curiosity of young minds, bringing over 1,000 participants to campus for an engaging exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).
The project was driven by the goal of inspiring and enriching the next generation’s interest in STEAM education and career fields, and addressing the ongoing issue of underrepresentation in these areas. By bringing together a diverse group of participants and organizers, including UBCO students and various community partners, the Expo of Awesome succeeded in creating an inclusive and stimulating environment for learning and discovery.
“The hope is that over time, these initiatives will help reduce the underrepresentation that is currently present across STEAM pathways.”
– Rebecca McCullough, Staff, Faculty of Health and Social Development
The Expo of Awesome, held at UBC Okanagan in May 2024, was a vibrant event designed to foster STEAM literacy among youth in British Columbia. This collaborative effort, led by Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WWEST) and STEAM Ecosystems BC, built upon the success of a pilot event in May 2023, which initially drew 500 participants. The recent event doubled its scope, engaging approximately 1,000 students, teachers, parents, and caregivers through a series of hands-on activities and interactive sessions.
See below for project details and a Q&A with project co-lead, Rebecca McCullough.
Project Details
Project Title: Expo of Awesome
Project co-leads:
- Jo-Ann Coggan, Board Chair STEAM Ecosystems BC
- Rebecca McCullough, Staff, Faculty of Health and Social Development
Duration:
- Planning: October 2023 to May 2024
- Event: May 29 and 30, 2024
Learn more:
- Read more about the Expo of Awesome
- Lean more about Steam Ecosystems BC
This project was supported by the Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund.
Q&A with Rebecca McCullough, Staff Member from the Faculty of Health and Social Development
Why is this project important and how is it supporting the collaborative network’s goals?
The Expo of Awesome continues to grow and incorporate many individuals, groups and organizations involved at UBC Okanagan including; WWEST, integrative STEM Team Advancing Networks of Diversity (iSTAND), Geering Up, Let’s Talk Science, Dr. Young, Healthy Exercise and Aging Lab (HEAL) Jakobi lab, OK Marine Design, and Dr. Irani/Sakamoto and STEAM Ecosystems BC partners including; Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Parks, School District 22 (SD22) and School District 23 (SD23), Royal Museums BC, Okanagan Science Centre, Kelowna Museum Society, Okanagan Regional Library (ORL), and Ocean Networks, who promote STEAM to local youth. This year, we saw the reach extend to include two sessions lead by high school students who have a passion for creating change. This is important as collective collaboration enriches and inspires youth to explore STEAM related learning and career fields. The hope is that over time, these initiatives will help reduce the underrepresentation currently present across STEAM pathways.
What strengths did each party bring to the project?
Strengths are combined from individuals and groups across WWEST, UBCO and STEAM Ecosystems BC in planning and organizing an event of this undertaking. Technical skills were most utilized this year in building the new registration system. Additionally, as registration was open, it was important for WWEST and STEAM Ecosystems BC to support any STEAM based individual or group in hosting sessions. This included UBCO student-based groups who expressed interest in coming on board this year.
During the project, what opportunities did participants have to teach, learn, or do research?
The sessions are hands-on STEAM learning based, and this year had a theme focused on Climate and Sustainability. The hosts not only teach but learn alongside the youth who come to participate in the day’s events. Research occurs in creating an experience that delights and interests participants.
What was your favourite outcome or experience from the project?
The best moments occur when you witness active student participation and wide-eyed engagement. Sometimes this even comes from the session hosts themselves! Support from the PRE fund helped us create a new registration system, organization, and supplies and we are confident that we will experience continued success and collaboration from all involved, in future years.
Can you share a few lessons you learned during your project?
The biggest lesson is that there are so many people and organizations willing to support learning in a collaborative atmosphere! We just keep reaching out and growing. The post-secondary students that come on board are an excellent bridge between the youth and the session hosts in promoting STEAM across the local region.
What is next for this project?
We envision being able to continue to host the Expo of Awesome annually and look to continue to grow a portion of it into a youth lead science fair/promotion of learning of sorts. We would love to remain supported in shared promotion and funding to support individuals or organizations with accessing supplies where needed. The ability to book space to host this event on campus, through collaborating with UBCO and the Community Engagement office has been crucial and we look forward to future partnerships.