Third Annual STEAM Expo to Bring Hundreds of Students to USU Uintah Basin

ROOSEVELT, Utah — Utah State University Uintah Basin will host the third annual STEAM Expo on Oct. 1-2. The event– which aims to foster excitement for math, science, and the arts– will bring students in grades 5th-8th from Duchesne and Uintah counties to campus for two days of exhibitions.

“The annual USU Uintah Basin STEAM Expo is one of the great events that USU sponsors for the community,” said Don Busenbark, senior lecturer of mathematics and statistics at USU Uintah Basin and one of the leaders of the expo. “Students are able to learn about drones, dinosaurs, engineering, water, safety, fire, police, animals, robotics, mathematics, building, art, music, and more. The goal is always to connect students to a college campus, teach them, and help them see potential careers in STEAM fields.”

The two-day event will bring together USU faculty, community partners, and business leaders to share fun-filled workshops, booths, interactive demonstrations, and campus tours with students.

“What began as an exciting opportunity to inspire young learners has become one of the region's premier educational events, connecting students with hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics,” said David Law, associate vice president for USU Uintah Basin.

Last year, more than 1,300 students participated in the STEAM Expo, as well as more than 30 different USU department and community organizations.

“The Expo's reputation now extends well beyond the Uintah Basin, attracting exhibitors, educators, and industry partners from across Utah who are eager to share their expertise and inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and community leaders,” Law said. “This growing statewide participation reflects the quality of the event and the important role it plays in preparing young people for tomorrow's opportunities.

According to Busenbark, the students who participate regularly leave with an excitement that was not necessarily present when they first step in the doors.

“It is amazing to hear students when they come and say "why do we have to come?" and "this looks boring" and then when they are ready to leave the same students say "that was so cool" and "do we have to leave?",” he said. “The STEAM Expo gives us an opportunity in the basin to have the same experiences as students in the larger cities in the state.”

Organizers view this STEAM Expo as an important way of fulfilling and reinforcing USU’s land-grant mission.

“The STEAM Expo represents Utah State University Uintah Basin at its very best,” Law said. “It is a powerful example of the university's land-grant mission in action—serving communities by expanding educational opportunities, fostering curiosity, and investing in the future of our region. While Utah State University proudly provides exceptional academic degrees, its commitment extends far beyond the classroom. Through initiatives like the STEAM Expo, the university creates meaningful experiences that enrich lives, strengthen communities, and elevate opportunities for all residents of the Uintah Basin.”

The STEAM Expo will take place on USU’s Roosevelt campus. Both days will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m.

Operating campuses in Vernal and Roosevelt for more than 50 years, Utah State University Uintah Basin gives students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university, all in the backdrop of the outdoor oasis that is the Uinta Mountains and Ashley National Forest. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees and more than 125 programs available, as well as access to the renowned Bingham Research Center, USU Uintah Basin offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at uintahbasin.usu.edu.