Reviewed by: Lacey Muenstermann
Making science fun for all ages—5 reasons to check out STEAMfest, Alabama’s largest FREE science festival
Reading time: 7 minutes
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The state’s largest science festival is happening in our backyard in just a few weeks. With countless science-themed activities, this fun-packed day is even bigger and better than last year.
We talked with Joe Iacuzzo, the Festival Director, to get the scoop on all the nerdy, spectacular activities on the docket for the day-long event.
Event details:
- What: STEAMfest presented by the Alabama Science Festival
- Science-themed vendors, attractions, performers, learning areas, food trucks + more
- Where: The Orion Amphitheater
- When: Saturday, November 2 | 10AM-5PM
- Followed by STEAMfest After Dark celebration including beer + live music | 5-8PM
- Goal: Inspiring the next generation of STEAM enthusiasts, showcasing career opportunities in the STEM field + lowering the barrier to fun science education
- How Much: FREE (free admission + free parking)
- IDs are checked at gate for 21+ wristbands
- No sign up or RSVP required—just show up!
Mayor Battle invites you to the fun-filled day
Don’t just take our word for it—hear Mayor Battle’s excitement for Huntsville’s science festival.
What to expect at STEAMfest:
1. Science-themed attractions: dino bones, Mars Rover + more
The goal of the day? To create fun, engaging learning opportunities that will get kids (and adults) excited about STEAM topics.
In case you’re asking, “What is STEAM?”—STEAM encompasses all things science, technology, engineering, art and math.
The Festival will feature a variety of engaging attractions and activity stations to see STEAM in action.
Some of the note-worthy attractions include:
- Combat Robots: 20+ teams battle it out until one Champion remains
- Dinosaurs + REAL fossil bones: touch + feel real-life dinosaur bones
- Mars Rover: get a glimpse of a Mars Rover + learn how it’s used on Mars
- Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream + Marshmallows: FREE samples made on-the-spot by The Nutty Scientists using the magic of science
- VR Demonstration from META: test out META’s newest VR technology
- Yard bot: ride a robotic yard mower
- Paleontology learning station: learn all about history + dinosaurs from two authors/paleontologists
2. Science celebrity performances by Michael Green the Science Machine + Steve Trash
Get ready for fun, entertaining, laugh-filled science performances from two educational entertainers. These lively experts know how to make a proper science production.
Science star performances include:
- Michael Green the Science Machine (presented by Avion Solutions):
- About: Michael is a traveling science education entertainer and the president of Science For Everyone, an education-based science and technology company.
- STEAMfest performance: Expect attention-grabbing on-stage experiments and interactive demonstrations full of laughter.
- Steve Trash, Public Television Science Star (presented by Meta):
- About: The multifaceted Steve Trash is award-winning illusionist, science educator, star of a nationwide kids PBS TV show and “Rockin’ Eco Hero.” He travels all over the US to give engaging science performances at schools and events.
- STEAMfest Performance: Expect a thrilling mix of magic and eco-friendly messaging complete with repurposed magic materials, cigar-box music and comedy.
3. Hands-on learning from field experts
Over 100 science experts from across the state are gathering at the Orion to host interactive learning activities at STEAMfest. Each of these vendors has prepared hands-on activities to get guests excited about STEAM.
Several local STEAM experts are hosting booths and activities including:
- Meta
- Blue Origin
- Dinosaur Earth with real Paleontologists
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
- Innerspace
- K-Tech, Kids 2 Love
- AFCEA – Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International
- Land Trust of North Alabama
- Marshall Retirees
- North Alabama Zoological Society
- National Space Club
- Redstone Federal Credit Union
- UAH Engineering students
- U.S. Space & Rocket Center
- Women in Defense
- United Launch Alliance
- Alabama Science Festival Store—support STEAMfest’s Non-Profit foundation
- + Many MORE!
Learn from the best in the field all day at STEAMfest.
4. Fun for the whole family: science brews + more
STEAMfest has curated a packed day of fun for the whole family at the Orion Amphitheater, one of the top fall event destinations in the city.
With countless vendors and fun performances, STEAMfest makes the perfect family outing. Stroll the beautiful grounds of the Orion while enjoying science entertainment in the day, and stick around for live music and beverages in the evening.
Drink experiences catered to kids and their parents:
- Jeff & Blues kids’ soda fountain: Kids can sip on science-themed craft soda beverages + taste delicious treats, marshmallows and dip n’ dots handmade in nitrogen by scientists in real-time.
- 10AM-4PM
- STEAMfest craft beer: Adults can visit the Concourse Bars East + West or Jeff & Blues for specialty science-themed beer + cocktails.
- Concourse Bars: 10AM-8PM
- Jeff & Blues: 5-8PM
5. It’s completely FREE + benefits the Foundation
In partnership with Alabama Science Festival and several sponsors, STEAMfest’s focus is making this exciting event accessible to a wide range of economic backgrounds. The festival is also partnering with the Boys and Girls Club to provide transportation as needed in local communities.
Free admission is made possible by the festival’s primary sponsor, Meta, who is hosting a demonstration of their new VR technology at the event.
While free to attend, donations are greatly appreciated to keep STEAM resources in the hands of our future scientists.
Ways to donate to the The Alabama Science Festival and support science education:
- Purchase fun sciencey swag at the merch table
- Contribute online
Pro tip: Make sure to stay for STEAMfest After Dark
Stay after the function for STEAMfest After Dark featuring beer and two bands made up of scientists (c’mon, how perfect is that?).
Enjoy science-themed brews and soda while jamming out to curated music performances from:
- Wildlife and the Working Class: 80s pop/rock/new wave/post punk/Synth Pop cover band
- Foot Pound Force: a nerd rock band that explores and explains science, fandom and pop culture
View the schedule
Make the most of your visit and don’t miss any of the excitement.
- 10AM: Nearly 100 booths with interactive STEAM activities + FREE science goodies for all ages (Food trucks + drinks available for purchase)
- Noon: Michael Green the Science Machine Show for ALL AGES at Artists Meadow
- 1:30PM: Steve Trash, Public Television Science Star at Jeff & Blues Barn Porch Stage
- 2:30PM: Michael Green the Science Machine Show for ALL AGES at Artists Meadow
- 5PM: STEAMfest ends + STEAMfest After Dark begins!
- Music, STEAMfest Beer, specialty sodas and activities until 8PM
Eager for more from STEAMfest? Details on their Parents + AI event
In addition to STEAMfest, the group is also hosting a FREE educational AI panel. Details below:
- What: Parents and AI | panel Q&A discussion with the Huntsville AI Task Force
- Stay tuned for more details on RSVPing
- When: October 29 at 6:30PM
- Where: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
- Goal: Familiarize parents with how AI can be used as a tool and a crutch
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 2 and don’t miss STEAMfest 2024’s extravagant science festival.
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