USC Aiken to host 38th annual SEED STEM Festival

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken will host the 38th annual SEED STEM Festival. The event is free and will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23rd at USC Aiken from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

"Imagine getting up close with honeybees, petting an alligator, making paper, investigating weather, discovering earth's treasures, or virtually traveling through outer space," said John Hutchens, director of special programs at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. "Guests will be able to do just that at this year's festival."

The event will celebrate innovations in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Student groups, regional corporations, museums, professional organizations, government agencies, educators, and national labs will come together to create and present engaging hands-on activities for guests of all ages.

"We plan this event each year to give young learners and their families up close and personal interaction with real-world STEM professionals," Hutchens said. "The goal is to increase awareness of the role STEM plays in society and that it can also be fun. We recognize that as a society we must continue to excite and engage families about STEM fields.It is predicted that by 2025, 3.5 million jobs related to STEM will need to be filled in the US alone."

Visitors can expect to see over 60 hands-on exhibits from Aiken County EMS, American Nuclear Society, Southern Nuclear and more. Other highlights include demonstrations of technologies and intriguing science including robotics, nuclear power, flight, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and biodiversity.

Every year, this event is presented by the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken working closely with the Aiken County Public School District.

For more information on the 38th Annual SEED STEM Festival click this link here.

Any media planning to attend should email news@usca.edu.