Let’s learn about STEM! SDSU returns as a festival sponsor at Petco Park
Students, faculty and staff are part of a full day of family-friendly science and engineering demonstrations, presentations and interactive activities on March 7.
San Diego State University returns to Petco Park as a sponsor of the 2026 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. The free event will take place 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 with a day of STEM fun for all ages.
Through a series of hands-on activities and captivating exhibits, attendees will learn from SDSU students, staff and faculty about a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. SDSU personnel will also host a crash course in encryption in the Cybersecurity Zone, unveil sciencey art displays in the Art Pavilion and discuss possible pathways for young students considering futures in STEM in the College and Career Connections Pavilion.
In addition, senior Bianca Rollbusch will participate in two panels at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the College and Career Connections Pavilion. Rollbusch, who last year won a CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement, studies breast cancer in Assistant Professor Teresa Monkkonen’s lab and will speak on her experience as a STEM student at SDSU, as well as her career aspirations and path to becoming a biology major.
Here are the SDSU organizations participating in the festival, and their planned activities:
Interactive Exhibits
Marine Ecology & Biology Student Association (MEBSA)
Explore ocean creatures with SDSU’s Marine Ecology & Biology Student Association and members of Assistant Professor Cat Schrankel’s lab. The two groups will return to the festival with a fan favorite: Touch tanks offering an up-close glimpse of sea life.
SDSU Biodiversity Museum
The SDSU Biodiversity Museum houses over 100,000 specimens collected, acquired and preserved over more than 125 years. Several of those species will be on display at the festival: stop by to witness beautiful butterflies, intricate insects, colorful birds and more.
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Environmental science students will bring samples of minerals used in everyday life and will use an interactive model to demonstrate how buildings are designed to be safer during earthquakes.
SDSU Center for Autism
The SDSU Center for Autism will join the festival again this year with a brain neuron craft, puzzles and information for parents and families interested in their work.
Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning (VITaL) Research Center
SDSU’s Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning Research Center is back with an immersive technology experience for learning STEM topics. Visit the VITaL team’s table to explore the world of dinosaurs and test your Earth knowledge with virtual reality (VR).
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Visitors of the Society of Women Engineers’ table receive a gift. Returning with another crowd favorite, SDSU’s SWE will run a DIY lava lamp necklace workshop that teaches attendees how liquid density works.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
What does it take to design and construct a sound structure? With SDSU’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, attendees will learn about basic engineering concepts through a hands-on building activity.
College of Engineering Advisors
Attendees with specific questions about engineering programs at SDSU can stop by this table to chat with advisors, who will also host trivia games with giveaways during the festival.
Cybersecurity Zone
Cybersecurity Center for Research and Education and Cyber Defense Team
The Cybersecurity Zone returns to the festival with SDSU’s Cybersecurity Center for Research and Education and Cyber Defense Team using a creative bracelet-making activity to explain encryption and cybersecurity, while discussing the university’s various cyber initiatives.
Art Pavilion
SDSU School of Art and Design
Associate professor of Interior Architecture Yin Yu and her students are back with a variety of displays that incorporate scientific and engineering concepts. This year, their pieces are made with bacterial cellulose to reflect sustainability and architectural design.
College and Career Pavilion
SDSU Enrollment Services
SDSU Enrollment Services will provide students and families with information on SDSU’s STEM offerings, including K-12 STEM programs and degree paths.
SDSU’s sponsorship of this event was made possible through a partnership of universitywide departments, including the College of Sciences, Division for Research and Innovation, and College of Engineering.
Learn more about SDSU's ongoing investments in STEM research and teaching.
