Kindergarten through eighth grade students and their families are invited to a STEM Festival in Washington.

The Kirkwood Washington Regional Center is hosting the second annual event focused on science, engineering, technology, and math. Director of the Kirkwood Washington Regional Center Tera Pickens explains why the event is targeted at younger students, “We really just want to be able to excite the students at a young age about the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Just to kind of develop that love and passion at that early age to encourage them to continue studying in those areas throughout their educational years.”

She shares there will be over 30 displays, “A lot of really cool virtual environments they can try out. The National Advanced Driving Simulator will be bringing their car that’s a simulator that students and parents can participate in distracted driving to see how dangerous that is. The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine will be bringing down plastic organs in which students can use their surgical training technology to do simulated surgery. Our virtual welder, virtual painter will be on hand for students to try out welding and painting in a virtual and safe environment. And then as well as a lot of fun, hands-on things.”

The event is free and pre-registration is encouraged. It will be held 4-7 p.m. at the Kirkwood Washington Regional Center on November 30th.