2026 STEAM Expo Brochure

ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Meals served 4:30pm - 7:00pm

Each entree comes with a serving of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and your choice of milk.

Full meal price: $7.00

à la carte prices:

• Taco in a Bag $5.00

• Roasted chicken salad: $5.00

• Pizza slice: $3.00

• Fresh fruit: $2.00

• Fresh vegetables w/veggie dip: $2.00

• Bottle water: $1.00

• Milk: $0.75

is proud to host, in partnership with local businesses and organizations, the: FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT!

Thurs, March 26, 2026

4:30-7:00PM

Alexandria Area High School

4300 Pioneer Rd SE, Alexandria

www.alexschools.org/steamexpo

SPONSORED BY:

HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WITH:

The Expo gives students, families and community members an opportunity to participate in activities involving science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).

ARTS CENTER GYMNASIUM

ANIMAL MENAGERIE

Headwaters Science Center

Headwaters Science Center is home to many animals. Learn more about our animals’ habitat, adaptations, defenses, proper handling, and interesting facts. The Animal Walkby would include some of the following animals to view, learn about and hold: a European Glass Lizard (a legless lizard), Eastern Box Turtle, Russian Tortoise, Milk Snake, Ball Python, Corn Snake, Walking Sticks, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Bearded Dragon. All ages.

DIG INTO TRANSPORTATION - MnDOT’S AUGMENTED REALITY SANDBOX

Minnesota Department of Transportation

How does STEAM help MnDOT decide where roads should go?

MnDOT’s Augmented Reality Sandbox is an interactive, hands-on tool that connects STEAM to real-world careers in land surveying and mapping. The Augmented Reality Sandbox helps visualize how engineers and surveyors understand the land before building roads, bridges, or other infrastructure.

THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF WATER

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

How does water move through the water cycle?

Learn about all the forms water can take as you travel through the water cycle! Participants will play a game where they will act as water droplets moving from station to station, rolling the dice to determine where to go next. Each participant will keep track of their unique journey.

HIDDEN DNA

HIDDEN DNA

LGC, Biosearch Technologies

How can a robot, liquid, and lights help scientists learn about plants, animals, and people?

Come learn how the IntelliQube quickly moves small drops of liquid and detects information from DNA. We will see the robot made right here in Alexandria that is used all over the world to learn secrets about DNA in plants, animals, and people. Race the robot and use a black light to find a surprise message!

MOVE, THINK, SPEAK: THERAPY IN ACTION!

Alomere Health

How do movement, balance, and speech skills work together to help us navigate and communicate in the world?

Discover how therapy helps us move, think, and speak! Pick a card to try a quick and fun activity—like a balancing challenge, a word puzzle, or a tongue-twister. Each task teaches how physical, occupational, and speech therapy work to improve coordination, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Complete a challenge to win a prize!

GYMNASIUM (CONT.)

DRIVE THE FUTURE WITH TEAM 3313!

Alexandria Area Robotics

How do you use ‘The Arts’ to make such a complex piece of ‘Engineering’ easy and intuitive for a human to drive?

Head over to the gymnasium to meet Robotics Team 3313. We are showcasing the progression of STEAM education from elementary through high school. Participants of all ages are invited to drive the robots and talk one-on-one with our high school team members. Whether you’re a PreK student curious about moving parts or a community member interested in local tech, there’s something for everyone. Come see what makes Mechatronics move!

ECO-BANDS FOR EARTH

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management

How can we sustainably repurpose our plastic?

Turn everyday plastic bags into colorful friendship bracelets! Learn how reducing, reusing, and recycling helps protect our planet while weaving, cutting, and creating your own eco-friendly band.

FLUSH THE KIDS

ALASD

What not to flush?

ALASD will “Flush” you down our fake toilet while teaching kids what happens when we flush anything except the 3 P’sPaper, Poo, Pee!

UNDERSTANDING ELECTRICITY

ALP Utilities

Why do we use transformers in the electric system?

Visitors spin the wheel to answer a question about how electricity works.

THE NEST CONFERENCE ROOM (B103)

INSTRUMENT ZOO

Eckroth Music

What is it like to play a musical instrument?

Eckroth Music and area musicians will be giving young students a chance to handle and play with real musical instruments. Students will be able to receive advice and talk to experienced musicians, allowing them a great opportunity to learn something about the instruments and possibly spark an interest in music.

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

Prairie Lakes Audubon Chapter

Can you find the chickadee’s secret hiding spot and whistle back its favorite song?

We will have an activity using binoculars set up in our area for kids and adults to “find” chickadees in various surroundings and listen to their calls.

COLLECTION CALAMITY!

Douglas County Historical Society

What types of things can go wrong in a museum’s collection, and how can we minimize those effects?

DCHS will showcase the common elements that can affect a museum’s collection, like light deterioration and water damage, and how we can mitigate these and save a collection from emergencies.

CUT, CONNECT, CREATE: AN ADVENTURE IN CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION

Miltona Science Magnet School

do scientists use those clues?

Become a Lab Hero as you test mystery samples to discover their blood types! Use real scientific steps to look for clues, observe reactions, and match patterns— just like medical detectives. Explore how scientists use these clues to help patients and learn why every drop of blood tells an important story.

HEALTH HEROES: USING TECHNOLOGY TO DIAGNOSE & TREAT

Bethany on the Lake

How is technology changing to provide more efficient and accurate care to patients?

Join us at our interactive booth where kids can learn about the amazing tools nurses use to keep people healthy! We’ll be showcasing an oximeter, an infrared thermometer, AccuVein, and the vitals tree. These devices help nurses diagnose and treat illnesses by monitoring vital signs.

MARSHMALLOW ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

Can you transform a flat piece of cardboard into a 3-D structure that is strong enough to stand and allow you to move around in it? Can you create a 2-D cardboard cutout creative enough to tell a story?

Alexandria Education Foundation

Step into our Cardboard Construction site and become a junior engineer! Utilizing kid-safe Makeado tools, you can transform ordinary cardboard into fun 3-D creations like wearable hats and sturdy forts. For 2-D designs, make use of the BeaverBots. It’s a hands-on adventure in upcycling cardboard where you can cut, connect, and safely bring your imagination designs to life!

GERMINATION

Douglas County Master Gardeners

What is stored inside a seed?

What geometric shapes and structures can you construct using only marshmallows and toothpicks? With just two materials--marshmallows and toothpicks--you can build simple or elaborate 2D and 3D objects. Maybe it’s a pyramid, a snowflake, a house, or a star. Use your imagination while learning about structure and design!

PEDAL POWER

Runestone Electric Association What is an LED?

If you’re tall enough to pedal a bike, you are tall enough to generate electricity!

PLAY ACADEMIES IN PRESCHOOL

Alexandria Public Schools

During this activity a child take a dry seed, moisten it and place it in a small bag. Master Gardeners will guide the process and an explanation of the germination process will be attached. Take it home, keep it warm and watch for the root and the shoot.

LAB HEROES: DISCOVER BLOOD TYPES!

ROOTS, LAYERS, AND INNOVATION!

Voyager Elementary School

What do plant roots and 3D printing have in common?

Layers! Look closely at plant roots growing in a hydro-planter using magnifying glasses. Then watch a 3D printer build objects one layer at a time. Discover how plants and machines grow in similar ways and how science and engineering help us learn and create.

SEED PAPER DECORATING

Youth Eco Solutions

How does native plant life help our environment?

Stop by the YES table and color your own seed paper to take home and plant! Let’s work together to help our pollinator friends by growing beautiful wild flowers and native grasses!

STEAM-TO-GO

Douglas County Library

What can you discover at the Library?

Try out a number of Steam-to-go kits available at the Library. Build machines like Leonardo Da Vinci, learn phonics with Pokemon, build a circuit to power a lightbulb, and even drive a Mars Rover!

SUGAR SHOCKER!

Sanford Health

How much sugar is hiding in your favorite drink? How does sugar affect your body?

Join the sugar shocker challenge! Explore popular drinks like soda, juice, tea, coffee, and energy drinks. Estimate the sugar in these drinks and compare your guess to the real amount. Increase your knowledge and learn how sugar affects the body and how to satisfy your thirst in a healthy way.

WATER WEIGHT

Legacy of the Lakes Museum

How much of you is made up of water?

Kids will work out just how heavy water really is in this fun activity and use that knowledge to find out how much of their own weight is made up of water.

WHO NESTS IN THERE?

MN DNR - Lake Carlos State Park

What birds use cavities for nests and how do they do it?

Some bird species use cavities for nesting. Those could be natural cavities or human made cavities like bird houses. Come explore which bird species make natural cavities and which bird species use them.

WINTER HABITATS

Douglas County 4-H

Can you build a winter habitat for one of the given animals incorporating design for the animal needs & testing stability for animal survival in winter?

In this activity you will create and design an animal winter habitat with spaghetti noodles and marshmallows, focusing on building a sturdy, insulated shelter incorporating design for the needs of the animal and testing its stability, teaching principles of structural engineering for animal winter survival.

CULINARY LEARNING LAB (B101)

PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD!

Community Ed & Culinary students

Who says you can’t play with your food?

Early Education

our art room tables, enjoy the fun of Air Dry Clay! Create a sculpture to take home and paint when it’s dry!

artistic talents with some fun face painting designs.

DESIGN BUILD LEARNING LAB (F162 & F163)

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

EMTNR staff & students

How are things made in manufacturing?

The AAHS Technology lab will provide exposure for STEAM Expo guests to see Advanced Technology equipment and machine producing parts. Instructor and high school students trained in these technologies will be on-hand to demonstrate the tools and machines that are creating our technical world.

FREE 3D Printed Trinket!

CHICKADEE HOUSE

TINY TO TALL: CARING FOR US ALL!

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Join us for a messy, colorful, and creative adventure at our Veggie Stamping Station. We’re swapping paintbrushes for fresh produce! Watch your little ones discover how a celery stalk becomes a rose, a bell pepper becomes a clover, and an ear of corn creates amazing textures.

Materials donated by ATCC. Kits cut by ATCC Carpentry instructor & students. Build a simple wood birdhouse - a perfect home for a songbird! Limited to 125 bird house kits - one kit per family.

ORCHESTRA MUSIC CLASSROOM (F114)

Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeMedical Laboratory Technician Program

What clues does blood give us, and how

What kind of STEAM concepts can preschoolers learn through play? Preschoolers are learning everyday through their play experiences. Creative expression, scientific concepts, mathematical principles, strategic use of technology, and engineering challenges are all natural outcomes of play experiences when the right materials and opportunities are provided. See for yourself how play is the work of early childhood!

How do nurses use science, tools, and problem solving to care for people as they grow from babies into older adults?

Kids explore what it’s like to be a nurse caring for a newborn and an older adult manikin. This fun, hands-on activity shows how nurses use science, creativity, and compassion to help people of all ages. Participants explore nursing care across the lifespan. Visitors observe, compare, and discuss differences. This interactive display highlights problem solving, compassion, and technology nurses use when caring for patients from infancy through older adulthood.

It’s a hands-on masterpiece waiting to happen—perfect for artists of all ages.

ART LEARNING LAB & ART HALLWAY

PLAYING IN THE MUD

AAHS Visual Arts students

Come to the Art room to experience the fun of working with clay! Give the Wheel a try alongside amazing teachers from our advanced pottery courses at AAHS! You will not be able to take home your wheel creation, but you will get to experience the joys of wheel throwing! Throughout

5:30-6:00 PM

CINEMATIC STRINGS

DMS Stormy Strings Orchestra

What purpose might music serve in a film, tv show or video game?

The auditioned orchestra at Discovery Middle School, Stormy Strings, will perform titles from the silver screen. Selections will include themes from blockbuster films such as How to Train Your Dragon, The Avengers, Lord of the Rings, and more. Stop in to hear Stormy Strings’ interpretation of some of your favorite movie music!