Sunspotters, optical illusions, virtual reality, and experiments in light and sound and fire … the sciences came to life at the Don Myers Technology and Innovation Building during American University’s third annual STEAM Faire — a celebration of Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts, and Mathematics.

The event, sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, was a grand success, bigger and more interactive than ever before. “We had more than 350 elementary, middle, and high-school students from around the city participate. AU students got a chance to engage with these students and hopefully inspire them to pursue careers in the sciences,” said event organizer Kathryn Walters-Conte, American University’s Director of STEM Partnerships and Outreach, Director of AU I-CORPS Site Program, and Director of Masters in Biotechnology.

Highlights included meeting Morgan Gendel, science author for Star Trek, a dramatic physics demo show, an “Awakening Scientific Discovery Through Art” lecture, and open houses and activities at the Design and Build Lab and the AU Game Lab.

There was something for everyone at the faire. Clubs and STEM departments offered interactive activities: marine biology, behavioral neuroscience, chemistry, space, visual intelligence, Phi Delta Epsilon, nutrition, data science, Healthy Schools-Healthy Communities, not math club, science in literature, audio tech, developmental neuroscience, amateur radio, BRAIN club, underrepresented students in STEM, and the zebrafish laboratory.