The S.T.E.M. department hosts three major events throughout the school year. The purpose of these events is to further peak student interest in STEM related fields. Many scientists from our community donate their time to mentor, judge, and/or teach our IUSD students.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering as a scientist for any of these events please fill out this form IUSD STEM Events Volunteer Registration. A STEM background is required.
For more information please call the STEM department at (949) 936-5057 or via email at TracyEdstrom@iusd.org
Ask-A-Scientist Night
Sponsored by Irvine Public Schools Foundations, annually, this event prepares students for their science fair project. All 6th graders throughout the district are required to submit a project. It is optional for students in grades 7-12. During Ask-A-Scientist Night, students are able to ask scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals questions and get advice about their ideas for their science fair project.
Date: Postponed
Time: 6:00PM – 7:30PM
Location: Learning Center next to Creekside High School
2019 Ask-A-Scientist Night Flyer
21st century career conference
Sponsored by Irvine Public Schools Foundation in partnership with Google, Google Fiber, and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, select Middle School students have the opportunity to attend four break-out sessions. Students hear from a variety of dynamic speakers about the many exciting facets of scientific, technological, and engineering careers. Members of the community volunteer to speak or conduct demonstrations about their STEM related careers. Due to the limited space for this event, the selection process of which students may attend is at the discretion of the teacher.
Date: Postponed
Time: 9:00 AM -12:30 PM
Location: Beckman Center
Science Showcase
The 2020-2021 IUSD Virtual Science Showcase has concluded.
2020-2021 IUSD Science Showcase Projects Advancing to OCSEF
Thank you to the students, families, and staff who made this year’s 40th Annual Science Showcase a success. And, thank you to the IUSD School Board and Superintendent Terry Walker for their support and to the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) for their sponsorship, in partnership with the Broadcom Foundation.
The Broadcom Foundation and IPSF share important goals of empowering young people to become STEM-minded critical thinkers who are inspired to become the scientists, engineers, and innovators of the future. The Broadcom Foundation is excited to launch its new Coding with Commitment Prize this year, awarded to Dylan Sanchez, from Eastshore Elementary School, for his project, Human Monitoring and Alerting Device, which combines STEM knowledge and computational thinking in a project designed to improve his community.
We also honor Melody Yu, from Rancho San Joaquin Middle School for her project, Smart Crossing Guard Aid, with the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize. This award is provided by the Society for Science to one middle school student at a Fair like IUSD’s Science Showcase that are affiliated with the 2021 Broadcom MASTERS. The award recognizes projects that apply problem solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and empathy to improve the quality of life in a community.
IUSD will advance 137 students to the 2021 Orange County Science and Engineering Fair and 38 IUSD students will advance to the 2021 Broadcom MASTERS.
2020-2021 IUSD Science Showcase - Sponsored by Irvine Public Schools Foundation in partnership with Broadcom Foundation.
This year, given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves, there will be a few changes to this year’s event.
For students in Grades 7-12, the event will be largely be the same. However, there will not be a ceremony; instead, student projects will be celebrated at a virtual showcase during the last week of January and first week of February.
For students in Grade 6, the project will be optional and completed at home. Students may complete individual or group projects. Just as in Grades 7-12, there will not be a ceremony; instead, student projects will be celebrated at a virtual showcase during the last week of January and first week of February.
Projects will still have the chance to advance to the virtual 2021 Orange County Science and Engineering Fair.
For all students, groups can have 2-3 students. Each student in the group is responsible for significant contributions to the project. Students should practice safe social distancing when collaborating and, like professional scientists, consider collaborating virtually.
Students are required to express their intent to participate in the Showcase by October, 30, 2020, by 4p PT. Teachers will submit digital submissions for all students advancing to the IUSD District Science Showcase Celebration on January 8, 2021 by 4p PT.
Assuming that the 21-22 school year allows us to return to normalcy, we will revert to prior year rules and procedures. To minimize confusion, we are describing this year as a Science Showcase.
Please see rules for all students linked below.
2020-2021 IUSD Science Showcase Rules
6th Grade IUSD Science Showcase Parent Letter - 2020-2021
6th Grade IUSD Science Showcase Informational Slide - 2020-2021
6th Grade IUSD Science Showcase Intro Video - 2020-2021
7-12th Grade IUSD Science Showcase Information Resources - 2020-2021
6th Grade IUSD Science Showcase Submission Guidelines - 2020-2021
7-12th Grade IUSD Science Showcase Submission Guidelines - 2020-2021
Last Years Information
2020 IUSD Science Fair Results
County Information
