13th Annual Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival Returns for Nine Days of Community STEM Exploration April 26-May 4
Annual festival offers FREE educational events and interactive activities
for families throughout Clark County
The Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival is set to kick off April 26, promoting the community’s passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). With over 40 engaging events, the festival aims to inspire young minds and ignite their interests in STEM career fields. Culminating the week-long event is the Giant Science and Technology Expo, to be hosted May 4 at the EXPO at World Market Center, where school-aged children and their families can explore hands-on exhibits and interactive displays.
Presented by the Las Vegas Natural History Museum in collaboration with the Clark County School District, the Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival is a celebration of innovation and education. Its mission is to raise awareness of STEM careers and showcase the unique opportunities available within the community for school-aged children and their families.
These immersive events include interactive presentations, hands-on technology workshops, STEM camps, and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of local attractions such as Silverton Aquarium, BlackFire Innovation, Atomic Museum, Southern Nevada Recycling Center and more. These activities are designed to offer families free, fun, and visionary avenues to explore STEM careers together.
Since 2011, we’ve been bringing science out of the textbooks and into the real world, inspiring the next generation of innovators in our community,” said Alexandra Liebman, director of the Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival. “The festival is a great opportunity for businesses to get involved and offer resources, activities, and opportunities for our youth to learn more about their organization, their careers, and the science and/or technology they utilize in their operations every day.”
The festival will once again award $1,000 to the CCSD school with the highest student and family attendance at the Giant Science and Technology Expo on May 4. In 2023 the Expo saw students from over 200 different Clark County schools, but it was Elise L. Wolff Elementary School that claimed the top spot for the most attendance.
All events are free and open to the public. Registration opens April 1 and is required for all events, as space is limited and based on availability. Below is a partial list of what guests can expect at this year’s festival. For the full event lineup, visit www.scifest.vegas.
- Friday, April 26 (Kick-Off): Future Rebels in STEM Day at UNLV (ALL DAY), Nursing and Pharmacy Studies at Roseman University (AM), and Training Lab Tours with NTI (PM).
- Saturday, April 27 (Outdoor Explorers Day): BioBlast at Clark County Wetlands Park (AM), Community Art Workshop at Omega Mart (PM) and the City of Las Vegas Technology Career Fair (PM).
- Sunday, April 28 (Science is Everywhere Day): Over 20 special tours, demos and workshops at various organizations throughout the valley. Events include the Junior Paleontologist Hike at Ice Age Fossil State Parks, behind-the-scenes tours of Shark Reef and the Bellagio Fountains; The Mine Experience at McCaw School of Mines; various engineering and science demonstrations at six Clark County Library District locations; Robots Saving Lives at Southern Hills Hospital; and a special Sustainability Talk with Republic Services followed by a STEM Movie at Galaxy Theatres
- Monday, April 29: Ologist Night at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, meet real scientists and learn about their career fields.
- Tuesday, April 30: Meet the Medical Residents at Southern Hills Hospital and learn how to “stop the bleed,” practice on an ultrasound machine and more.
- Wednesday, May 1: Open House at the BattleBots Arena, explore behind-the-scenes in the arena followed by a special Destruct-a-thon demo
- Thursday, May 2: May the Science Be with You, DRI and the National Atomic Testing Museum welcome the community to explore science through the lens of Star Wars
- Friday, May 3: Night at the CSN Planetarium, free planetarium shows and a fun-filled night of space science and STEM activities.
Saturday, May 4: Giant Science and Technology Expo at the World Market Center, FREE full-day of one-of-a-kind science and technology experiences and engaging science-themed interactive booths and entertainment; for a complete list of exhibitors, visit: https://www.scifest.vegas/expo
The 2024 Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival is made possible by the generous support of Clark County School District, Nevada National Security Site, CleanSpark, Gene Haas Foundation, NV Energy, MGM Resorts International, Arcata Associates Inc., CalPortland, Cox Communications, Sunrise Health, Republic Services, and NVigate powered by the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office.
About the Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival
Started in 2011, the annual Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival has quickly become the largest educational event in Nevada. Through engaging and educational programming, the Festival strives to spark curiosity and highlight the amazing science, technology, engineering, and math taking place right here in our community. The Festival makes science fun, accessible, and engaging for everyone—kids, families, and adults. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter @scifest_vegas Instagram @scifest_vegas. Visit www.scifest.vegas for more information.
About the Las Vegas Natural History Museum:
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum was established in 1989 by a small group of citizens who knew the community would benefit from the educational resources it could provide. After very humble beginnings, this private nonprofit museum is now a Smithsonian Affiliate, accredited with the American Alliance of Museums, and is a federal and state repository for fossils and artifacts. From the desert to the ocean, from Nevada to Africa, from prehistoric times to the present, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum takes visitors of all ages on a learning adventure around the world. Please visit lvnhm.org, follow on Facebook and LinkedIn at Las Vegas Natural History Museum; and @LVHNMuseum on Twitter and Instagram. For additional information, please call (702) 384-3466.
