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Kids Flock to Science and Engineering Expo in D.C. (photos)

By Jeff Malet • April 9, 2018 0 2948

Expo visitors watch a robotics demo by the Penn Engineering GRASP Laboratory. Photo by Jeff Malet.

The largest festival of its kind takes place in the nation’s capital every two years.

The 5th USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo, presented by Lockheed Martin, commandeered the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on April 7 and 8, dazzling an estimated 350,000 visitors, many of them children, with over 3,000 exhibits and 25 stage shows. Its primary goal: to inspire the next generations to pursue rewarding careers in the sciences.

Attendees were invited to chat with astronauts, scientists and educators; examine live microbes; learn how the brain works; and decode messages with an authentic World War II Enigma machine.

This year’s theme was “Where Can STEM Take You?” STEM, shorthand for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices to improve students’ competitiveness in those areas.

Studies suggest that the U.S. has a severe shortage of tech workers. A STEM Career Pavilion at the expo hosted more than 50 colleges and universities and more than 20 companies showcasing STEM internships, mentorships and afterschool programs.

On April 6, in conjunction with the expo, the U.S. Postal Service issued a STEM education “Forever” stamp featuring symbols representing the complexity and interconnectedness of STEM disciplines.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from the 5th USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo by clicking on the photo icons below.

: Elena Belaschenko (age 8) of Bethesda Md. holds a girl astronaut doll

: Twins Norah and Garrick (age 7) from Springfield Va. explore the cosmos at the NASA pavilion

: Xinrong (age 6) of Fairfax Va. examines live yeast under a microscope

: Rebecca Klem explains how exploring numbers’ history, background and application to every day life can pave the way for learning breakthroughs.

: The Franklin Institute Science Showdown

: Cameran Perlman (age 15) and Evan Belsky (15) of Team 1389 of the Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda Md.) show their entry in The FIRST Robotics Competition display area.

: The “Science Cheerleaders” are also current and former NFL, NBA, and college cheerleaders pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

: Heidi Hagermeyer (age 9) from Point Pleasant N.J. volunteers to go on stage for Explosive Science with Dr. Kate Biberdorf

: Heidi Hagermeyer (age 9) from Point Pleasant N.J. participates on stage for Explosive Science with Dr. Kate Biberdorf

: The ‘Coolest’’ Show Around! Exploring Cryogenics With Mr. Freeze (a.k.a. Jerry Zimmerman)

: The ‘Coolest’’ Show Around! Exploring Cryogenics With Mr. Freeze (a.k.a. Jerry Zimmerman)

: The Secret Service shows off one of the presidential limos

: Since 1989 Art Benjamin has been a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, where he is the Smallwood Family Professor of Mathematics. He is known for mental math capabilities and “Mathemagics” performances in front of live audiences. His mathematical abilities have been highlighted in newspaper and magazine articles, at TED Talks and on the Colbert Report.

: The Harvard Microbial Science Initiative

: “Future dentists?” Natalia and Julian (both age 4)

: Expo visitors watch a robotics demo by the Penn Engineering GRASP Laboratory. Photo by Jeff Malet.

: Penn State students pose

: Barry Stevens as Ben Franklin stands in front of a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

: Social studies teacher Greg Elrod of the Chesapeake Math and IT Academy Public Charter School

: Rachel Frederick of the Museum of Science Fiction appears as a Star Treck original season science officer, with Joe Harvey as a Cylon from the Battlestar Galactica series.

: Danni Washington, rising marine biologist and TV host was a featured speaker

: Stunt scientist Steve Wolf demonstrates his art

: Kristie Reddick of The Bug Chicks holds Beyonce, a curly hair tarantula

: Leon (age 8) of Potomac Md. and Kristie Reddick of The Bug Chicks hold a “Texas golden” millipede

: Rebekah Corlew, Project Director Public Engagement at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

: Nicholas Tenaglio, a chemical engineering student at the University of Massachusetts wants to recycle discarded lobster claws food waste

: Kyle Grubbs is a USDA Laboratory Technician doing bee research

: Jacob (age 4) from Arlington Va. poses with Meg A Mole, American Chemical Society (ACS) Ambassador

: Gideon (age 3), currently living in Lagos Nigeria, uses a touch screen display

: Annvita (age 12) from Sterling Va., gets a science lesson from Dr. Philip Justus of the Rockville Science Center.

: Honda’s ASIMO the robot demonstrates his skills to a large crowd. ASIMO (whose name comes from English initials or words Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) is a humanoid robot created by Honda in 2000.