USU Blanding Hosts Hundreds of Grade School Students at Annual STEAM Expo

BLANDING, Utah — More than 600 students from ages 10-18 flocked to the Utah State University Blanding campus to participate in the annual STEAM Expo on Sept. 24. The event included students from every school in San Juan County as well as students from Richfield and Alpine School districts and students from Colorado and Arizona.

“The STEAM Expo brings students together with USU faculty, staff, and community partners, including San Juan School District and the Navajo Nation, to explore new possibilities and connect learning to future careers,” said Ken Guan, associate vice president of USU Blanding. “Watching a sixth grader light up during a live opera performance reminds me why we do this. When young people can see a future here, they're more likely to build that future here, and that's how we strengthen our communities for generations to come.”

The event is meant to inspire students to dream big and to discover opportunities and interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This year’s theme was “Create, Innovate, and Inspire,” encouraging students to explore, imagine, and pursue future careers that will shape tomorrow’s world.

The five-hour event offered four activities with a wide range of opportunities. Megan Mower-Harris, USU Blanding community engagement coordinator, was pleased with how the event was received by students.

“There were a lot of moments throughout the day that made all the months of planning worth it,” she said. “The weather was perfect, the students engaged, the exhibitors were wonderful, the volunteers were amazing, and my crew are rock stars.”

A moment that stood out to Mower-Harris was one she observed at a demonstration hosted by the helicopter crew. Mower-Harris noted a group of female students engaging with the all-female helicopter crew, asking questions, and learning what it would take to become pilots if they wanted to pursue that as a career.

“You could see the spark in their eyes,” Mower-Harris said. “Moments like this make it all worth it.”

Mower-Harris gave kudos to the many people who made the event possible. This included the USU Blanding Facility and Grounds crew, booth volunteers, the USU Trucking and Heavy Equipment team, and the many local businesses and organizations that traveled to support the event and put on activities.

“This event doesn’t happen without all those who came to support, and I am truly appreciative of every single person who came,” she said.