5th Annual STEM Exploration Community Event draws over 1,000 participants

The 5th Annual STEM Exploration Community Event, sponsored by Hampton City Schools and held on Saturday, November 8, was a resounding success! More than 1,000 enthusiastic youth and families from throughout VDOE Region 2 and beyond gathered at the Professional Workforce Development Center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to celebrate National STEM Day. In partnership with Coastal Virginia STEM Hub, the city of Newport News, the National Institute of Aerospace, Old Dominion University, Virginia Space Grant, and Virtual Science Teacher, Hampton City Schools has proudly supported this free, hands-on community event since its inception.

 

The energy was electric as participants of all ages—from pre-K to adult—explored more than 50 interactive STEM exhibits. Over 80 HCS families joined in the fun, with Hampton City Schools exhibitors showcasing their innovation and expertise. Highlights included:

• Bethel High School’s TrAIL Academy, led by Alex Minter and Kyong Kang
• Kecoughtan High School’s Women in STEM Club, led by Renita Bostic and students Hannah Huff and Skyla Powell
• Hampton High School’s Virginia Ship Repair Association Maritime Academy, led by Trey Pressely
• Hampton High School’s Academy of Technology and Engineering, led by Justin Carr, advisory board member JarMarcus King, and students Antonio Davis and Michael Bryant, Jr.

In addition, HCS staff member Joan Harper-Neely and students Suri Williams and Chanbotrey Soum,who serve as National Institute of Aerospace STEM student ambassador interns for 2025–2026, engaged visitors in discovering the mysteries of the sun’s corona and auroras at the NIA exhibit. Chase Young engaged participants with the STEM connections found in sailing at the Youth Sailing Virginia exhibit.

 

The city of Hampton was also strongly represented, with exhibits from the Hampton Clean City Commission, Hampton Division of Fire-Rescue, Hampton Police Department’s SWAT vehicle and forensics unit, Hampton Public Library, and Hampton Public Works’ Touch a Truck. These exhibits offered participants a behind-the-scenes look at how STEM powers the city’s daily operations.

 

Additional exhibitors included the Colonial Beekeepers, Newport News Digital Shipbuilding trailer, Newport News Waterworks, Peninsula Master Naturalists, U.S. Navy Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Virginia Air and Space Science Center, Virginia Living Museum, Virginia Ship Repair, and Wetlands Watch.

 

A special thank-you goes to Digital Learning Specialist Megan Julien for her outstanding efforts as a member of the event’s planning committee.

Now in its fifth year, the STEM Exploration Community Event stands as a testament to our community’s commitment to cultivating curiosity and advancing STEM education for all learners.