The eighth annual STEAM fair at Penn State Behrend will feature more than 75 hands-on activity stations, including air cannons, 3D doodle pens, a railway simulation and a virtual-reality symphony. The interactive exhibits are designed to stir interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The STEAM fair is free and open to the public. Nearly 1,500 people attended the event in 2022.

This year’s program will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in the Junker Center.

The program showcases some of Behrend’s STEAM-themed research labs, including the Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab and the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons, a rapid-prototyping and product-design space. Student-run organizations also participate: Nursing students bring simulation mannequins that help them prepare for real-patient interactions.

“We try to make it fun, entertaining and engaging,” said Melanie Ford, director of Youth Education Outreach at Behrend. “When families are here and having fun, the educational component slips right in behind that.”