SciFest: Play and Creativity Expo

Welcome to SciFest: Play and Creativity Expo!

Enjoy our free, all-day event showcasing how STEM concepts, innovation, play, and creativity all go together! Meet, work, and play alongside artists, innovators, STEM experts, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Get involved and engage your own creativity and bright ideas.

SPONSORED BY

“Play is fundamentally important for learning 21st century skills, such as problem solving, collaboration, and creativity.” ~ American Academy of Pediatrics

Check out these free activities, experiences and more!

• Renaissance sword technique science and demonstrations
• Creative construction challenges
• Rocket launches and helicopter wind tunnel activities
• Submersible builds
• Art and science in painting, fiber work, tile and woodworking
• STEM applications in costume, clothing, and jewelry creation
• Quantum science, astrophysics and black holes
• Neuroscience, imaging and medical technology
• AI and robot technology
• Drone cage flight and navigation
• Electric circuit science and 3D printing applications
• Color chemistry
• Civil engineering equipment and projects
• Dance and sports science

Play and Creativity Expo Partners and Activities:

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AT ENERGY STAGE (LOWER LEVEL)

11:15pm Rainbow Chemistry
Join the Energy Stage team as they explore how scientists use color!

12:15pm UMSL Robotics and AI Research
Engage with advanced robotics systems, including a robotic dog, and discover how robots perceive their environment, move autonomously, and use AI to make decisions.
Dr. Xin Wang, Chair of Electrical Engineering, University of Missouri–St. Louis

2:15pm The Art and Technology Behind Costume Creation
See what goes into creative costume and prop building
Rich Heffernan, Commanding Officer, 501^st Legion

3:15pm Sound Science
Ride the sound waves as the Energy Stage team dives into all the things that make up sound!

FIRST FLOOR

• Try out rocket launchers, VR goggles, and a helicopter wind tunnel—The Boeing Company
• Learn more about the process and stages of costume props and armor building—501^st Legion/Rebel Legion
• See how painting and watercolor and art design are connected to STEM processes—ArtMonkeyWorld
• Explore robotics, AI, and electronics research and applications—University of Missouri-St. Louis
• Get a close-up look at live yarn spinning and fiber science—Amy Chapleau & Friends
• Operate and build a Sea Perch submersible—US Navy
• Investigate titration activities—Jost Chemical
• Be a light communication engineer and see how light can transmit information and video imaging—WNIS Lab at SLU
• Create a custom button and discover something about sports, arts, and the human body—St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Try out LEGO printmaking—St. Louis Artists’ Guild

LIFE SCIENCE LAB

• Explore applications of optics and imaging—SPECTRA WashU
• Investigate the brain and stress relief—Neuropsyche
• Engage with soldering and 3-D printing demos—Arch Reactor Makerspace

GAMEXP

• Play and learn more about the game of chess—Saint Louis Chess Campus

GROW GALLERY PAVILION

• Explore the chemistry of color—Saint Louis University Chemistry Club
• Experience drone cage flight and navigation—AirCRAFT Lab, Saint Louis University
• Play a DNA game—McDonnell Genome Institute at WashU Med
• See 3-D printing applications in product development, entertainment, and more—Saint Louis University Center for Additive Manufacturing

LOWER LEVEL

• Discover how geometry, physics and the scientific method are used in renaissance sword techniques—St. Louis School of Arms
• Explore the science of hockey—St. Louis Blues
• Experience how to turn wool into 2D and 3D art—Nellasaura Art
• Try your skill at tornado formation and create your own tornado—SLU Weather Club
• Use a rope machine to see how rope is made—Makerope.com
• Do a fossil impression activity—St. Louis Public Library
• Participate in loose parts exploration, play, and creativity—Laumeier Sculpture Park
• See displays of STEM principles applied to creative LEGO builds—GtwLUG
• Learn how science and math are essential elements in creative crafting—Dark Sky Creations

FIRST ROBOTICS HALL

• Engage in robotics activities and demonstrations for all ages—FIRST in Missouri

T-REX ROOM – AMAZING BRAIN CARIVAL

• Explore innovation and creativity in brain science—St. Louis Neuroscience Outreach

SECOND FLOOR

• Dance and learn about the science and creativity behind ballet with professional ballet dancers—Ballet 314
• Discover the process of sewing custom handbags and clothing—KYO-C
• Create bubble art while learning about surface tension, surfactants, etc.—Society of Women Engineers
• Fold and take home an origami paper creation—Bernardo’s Crane
• See live, creative demos of tile making, wood working, 3D printing, and screen printing—MADE Makerspace
• Participate in interactive and creative building activities—St. Charles Community College
• Discover the science behind prioritizing wellness—SLU STEM Wellness
• Investigate and learn more about robotics—Maryville Center for Access and Achievement
• Explore creativity in engineering—SLU Society of Women Engineers
• Get hands-on experience with electronics projects—SLU Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

PLANETARIUM

• Experience demos on black holes, electromagnetic waves, and astrophysics—Missouri University of Science and Technology
• Get creative with electrical circuits—Challenger Learning Center

SciFest: Connect with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professionals gathered exclusively for a series of day-long science and technology themed events.  Meet local scientists, engineers and other experts for a personal, close-up look at cutting-edge, creative STEM applications.

Parking: Regular price at the Oakland Lot. McDonnell Planetarium parking is FREE
Location: Entire Science Center Campus

Science Center Membership Special: Purchase a Family level Membership or above and save $10 during today’s SciFest event!