October 1, 2025

Our founder, Larry Bock, believed: “As a society, we get what we celebrate. So why not have the largest celebration of science and engineering in the United States?” Fifteen years later, his vision continues to thrive. Hear from Larry Bock about why the Festival was founded and the mission behind it—click here to learn more.

From the very first Expo on the National Mall in 2010 to today’s nationwide programs, we’ve been on a mission to spark curiosity, celebrate innovation, and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. Along the way, more than 350,000 people packed the DC Convention Center to experience each of our flagship Expos— meeting astronauts, science celebrities, and STEM innovators who’ve changed the way they see the future.

From Nifty Fifty classroom visits and the X-STEM Symposium to Sneak Peek Friday, Spark of STEM, the Educator Fellowship Program, and X-STEM All Access—not to mention epic Expo stages with science stars and live space feeds—we’ve created the ultimate celebration of science and engineering worldwide!

Together, we’ve created the nation’s largest celebration of STEM—free, accessible, and inspiring to all!

Along the way, stories like Kate Thomson’s journey show the life-changing impact of these Festival experiences. Her journey is proof that what begins as a moment of inspiration can lead to a lifetime of impact. Follow us on social media to hear Kate share her STEM journey tomorrow—and how it all began at the 2018 Expo. 

To celebrate, we’re giving away a $2,000+ Gaming & STEM Powerhouse Computer! Thanks to a special partnership between Carbice Corporation, and CyberPowerPC, you could take home a desktop that’s more than just a gaming rig—it’s a powerhouse for modeling, simulation, engineering, and of course, high-frame-rate gaming. Here’s how to enter:

✅ Each $15 donation = 1 entry for the PC gaming computer

✅ Donate once to enter as many times as you’d like!

👉 The final drawing is October 15

Want to boost your chances?
$75 = 5 entries
$150 = 10 entries
$300 = 20 entries

With your support, we’ll continue to inspire students, empower educators, and build a future fueled by STEM!

Do you have a Festival memory or impact story? We’d love to hear it! Respond to this email and share your experience to help us celebrate the moments that matter most.

Follow along with us on social media to see a daily countdown to our October 10th anniversary featuring fun facts, Festival impact, and special Festival guests!