Creating Pathways for Tomorrow’s Workforce

Festival of Science & Engineering Programs

Join Us for the 2025 Festival Science & Engineering

The 17th annual San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering will be back at Petco Park in 2025 and Generation STEAM is thrilled to return to the festival’s longtime venue. The festival is a day-long event serving ~20,000 attendees, at which more than 130 local businesses, corporations and community organizations provide interactive and hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) exhibits and activities for the entire community. Engage your employees in the most unique and rewarding of volunteer events and reach and connect with diverse youth from all corners of San Diego County.

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Inspiring Today’s Students. Empowering Today’s Teachers.

Generation STEAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by Biocom California, the leading accelerator of the life sciences in California. Our mission is to empower the next generation of STEAM visionaries through education and exploration. We work with schools, school districts, community organizations, and industry to create pathways for students interested in pursuing a career in California’s thriving life science industry. Our innovative year-round programs and events serve K-12 students and educators, ensuring a diverse and flourishing workforce of the future.

About Us

Generation STEAM impacts communities across California each year.

13,261

Students

133

Educators

117

Schools

1,738

Volunteers

9,608

Volunteer Hours

30,794

Total Number Impacted

Generation STEAM Impact Report

The Generation STEAM Impact Report captures the success and impact of our K-12 STEAM education programming from July 2023-June 2024. Our work is ongoing, and we’re thrilled to have a direct hand in creating a more diverse, inclusive, skilled and passionate workforce. Read through and celebrate along with us the results of so many people’s efforts and contributions!

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K-12 STEAM Education & Exposure

San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering

18,000 attendees participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math experiences during this annual event.

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Girls Who Lead

A summer externship providing underrepresented girls the opportunity to visit STEAM companies, receive leadership training, participate in career exposure workshops and gain valuable career connections.

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Life Science Station

A hands-on, immersive life science experience impacting 4,000 elementary school students each year.

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Pathways to STEAM

Career exposure for underrepresented students including internships, externships, mentorships, company tours, and career panels.

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Life Science Innov8Ed

High quality curriculum, educator trainings, hands-on science labs, in-classroom internships, and career exposure through company tours and career panels.

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Women Who Inspire

Women Who Inspire: Annual conference impacting 200 Title 1 high school girls.

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“Giving back is important to me because I feel that much has been given to me. I believe that generosity needs to be passed on to stay alive. It was a privilege to be able to donate my portion of the Shaw Prize to several worthy causes, including Generation STEAM. Being involved with the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering since its inauguration taught me first-hand that as professional scientists, we can do more to share what we do. We owe it to our kids to help them see that they can be the innovators of the future.”

Paul Negulescu

Senior Vice Pesident, Research
Vertex Pharmaceuticals

“The Festival provides a hub for the community around STEAM disciplines – a driving force for our economy, our innovation ecosystem, and the industries that color San Diego’s culture. As part of the innovation economy in San Diego, STEM companies need to engage with and inspire the next generation. We all play a role in building San Diego’s future.”

Karen Possemato

Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Communications
Seer

“Knowing that I am making a difference, not only for other students, but also for myself has been rewarding and an experience that I will be grateful for beyond high school graduation. As part of a team, my work with ScienceBridge has fueled a passion for science and helped me develop confidence that I am ready to be an impressionable presence in my community.”

Elijah Heras

Biomanufacturing Intern
Castle Park High

“The San Diego [Festival of Science & Engineering] event is the perfect opportunity to connect with an amazing community and engage with parents and kids. Of all the expos, events, and shows our team attends annually, this is by far the one we look forward to each year!”

Thuan Tran

DROYD

“Yesterday I was teaching mitosis in my classroom with 9th graders. Today, I was standing in a lab at Boundless Bio with a lab scientist viewing actual cells in various stages of mitosis. The tour and access to scientists and industry professionals were invigorating and reminded me why I am working hard to inspire the next generation.”

Melanie Harrington

CTE Biotech Teacher
Helix Charter High School

Any time that we can connect what students are learning in the classroom to the techniques and applications currently being used in industry, it makes such a difference for the students. Thank you so much for allowing us to make these connections for our students. I also appreciated hearing the academic backgrounds of the scientists and the so many diverse paths they took to get where they are today. These stories will also make such a tremendous impact on the students. Thank you.

Liz Perkoski

Biotechnology Teacher / Yearbook Advisor
El Camino High School

“Thank you for providing a wonderful day of “Inspiration” to our young women at Hoover High School! The students loved the workshops and keynote presentations as well as the ‘conference’ experience. Appreciate all that you did to make it a great day!”

Ellen Towers

Teacher
Hoover High School

“Thank You for Inspiring me to reach my goals and prepare for my future career. I was given many opportunities to work in groups with different women from many San Diego schools. The workshops were fun and informational. Thank you for this great experience.”

Melissa Arguelles

Student
Hoover Highschool

“This collaboration ensures educators provide K-12 students with the knowledge and resources to create a path towards their post-secondary education and career goals. The tour was one of many methods industry can support educators to implement effective teaching and to have the ability to fully support K-12 students in defining their career goals, motivation to learn, and enhance retention and academic success. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.”

Liz Cardenas

Imperial County Office of Education

Thank You to Our Funders

Creating Pathways for Tomorrow’s Workforce

Join Us for the 2025 Festival Science & Engineering

Inspiring Today’s Students. Empowering Today’s Teachers.

Generation STEAM impacts communities across California each year.

13,261

Students

133

Educators

117

Schools

1,738

Volunteers

9,608

Volunteer Hours

30,794

Total Number Impacted

Generation STEAM Impact Report

K-12 STEAM Education & Exposure

San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering

Girls Who Lead

Life Science Station

Pathways to STEAM

Life Science Innov8Ed

Women Who Inspire

Paul Negulescu

Senior Vice Pesident, ResearchVertex Pharmaceuticals

Karen Possemato

Vice President, Corporate Marketing & CommunicationsSeer

Elijah Heras

Biomanufacturing InternCastle Park High

“The San Diego [Festival of Science & Engineering] event is the perfect opportunity to connect with an amazing community and engage with parents and kids. Of all the expos, events, and shows our team attends annually, this is by far the one we look forward to each year!”

Thuan Tran

DROYD

Melanie Harrington

CTE Biotech TeacherHelix Charter High School

Liz Perkoski

Biotechnology Teacher / Yearbook AdvisorEl Camino High School

“Thank you for providing a wonderful day of “Inspiration” to our young women at Hoover High School! The students loved the workshops and keynote presentations as well as the ‘conference’ experience. Appreciate all that you did to make it a great day!”

Ellen Towers

TeacherHoover High School

“Thank You for Inspiring me to reach my goals and prepare for my future career. I was given many opportunities to work in groups with different women from many San Diego schools. The workshops were fun and informational. Thank you for this great experience.”

Melissa Arguelles

StudentHoover Highschool

Liz Cardenas

Imperial County Office of Education

Thank You to Our Funders

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Senior Vice Pesident, Research
Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Communications
Seer

Biomanufacturing Intern
Castle Park High

CTE Biotech Teacher
Helix Charter High School

Biotechnology Teacher / Yearbook Advisor
El Camino High School

Teacher
Hoover High School

Student
Hoover Highschool