Leonardtown, Md. – St. Mary’s County Public Schools will host the 10th annual Maryland STEAM Festival and Expo on October 25, 2025, at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, drawing families to explore science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics through hands-on activities centered on energy. The free public event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring exhibitors from local and state organizations that support regional STEM education efforts.
Organizers aim to connect students and parents with resources that build STEAM skills, aligning with the festival’s statewide mission to promote interactive learning and career awareness. Founded in 2015, the Maryland STEM Festival – which evolved to include arts as STEAM – spans a month each fall with hundreds of events across the state, emphasizing the role of science in education, culture and the economy. This year’s energy theme invites participants to examine concepts like renewable sources and power generation through practical demonstrations.
The fairgrounds setup allows attendees to navigate exhibits at their own pace, much like a community fair, fostering curiosity among students of all ages. Admission carries no cost, and food and beverages will be available for purchase on site. For details on the statewide festival, visit marylandstemfestival.org. Questions about the SMCPS event can be directed to Dr. Colleen Gill at 301-475-5511, ext. 32190, or Mr. Jason Hayes at 301-475-5511, ext. 32116.
Exhibitors include the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Educational Outreach Office, which coordinates STEM initiatives for local schools, such as the STEM4UAS program that engages middle and high school students in unmanned aerial systems design and robotics competitions. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, or SMECO, will highlight energy efficiency through its Everyday Energy curriculum, a series of six lessons for fourth- and fifth-graders that integrate STEM standards from Maryland’s math, science and English language arts guidelines, teaching concepts like smart energy use in homes and schools.
The Southern Maryland Astronomical Society plans to offer stargazing-related activities, drawing from its regular outreach at sites like Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center, where members host twice-monthly observing sessions and daytime solar viewings to introduce astronomy basics. Calvert Marine Museum representatives will focus on environmental science, showcasing hands-on programs like buoyancy experiments where students build and test model ships from household materials, aligning with Next Generation Science Standards. The University of Maryland Watershed Protection and Restoration Program will demonstrate water quality techniques, including stormwater management and restoration projects that reduce pollutants in local waterways, supported by specialists who assist communities in Maryland with planning and monitoring.
Hands-on learning forms the core of the expo, with demonstrations in robotics, rocketry and other energy-themed areas. Attendees might assemble simple circuits to power lights or launch model rockets to explore propulsion, activities that echo the festival’s goal of making abstract concepts tangible. These sessions build on SMCPS’s broader STEAM framework, which includes dedicated academies at schools like Great Mills High School, where students tackle capstone projects integrating math, science and technology to solve real-world problems, often through industry partnerships.
The event’s structure encourages broad participation, with stations designed for varying skill levels so elementary students can experiment alongside teens. Past festivals, such as the 2023 edition themed “STEMertainment,” drew crowds with features like an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter display, underscoring the expo’s evolution from basic STEM to inclusive STEAM programming that weaves in artistic elements like design in engineering. Organizers note that while the statewide festival hosts over 300 events annually, local gatherings like this one provide tailored access for Southern Maryland families, serving a county with more than 17,000 public school students across 28 schools.
SMCPS’s commitment to STEAM extends beyond the festival through initiatives like the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, where students gain practical skills in fields tied to the region’s aerospace and environmental sectors. The district’s STEM Academy emphasizes research and internships, preparing graduates for roles at nearby facilities like Patuxent River Naval Air Station, a hub for aviation testing that influences local education outreach. These programs align with Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a legislative framework that boosts funding for high-quality instruction in science and technology to meet workforce demands.
The energy theme resonates particularly in Southern Maryland, where utilities like SMECO serve rural and coastal communities grappling with sustainable power needs. Watershed efforts, meanwhile, address Chesapeake Bay health, a priority for the University of Maryland’s extension specialists who train volunteers through the Watershed Stewards Academy to monitor streams and implement rain gardens that filter runoff. Astronomical outreach from groups like SMAS connects to broader STEM by teaching optics and data analysis, skills applicable to energy research in solar technologies.
Calvert Marine Museum’s involvement highlights maritime history intertwined with modern ecology, offering programs that exempt Maryland public schools from fees via state grants, ensuring equitable access. Such collaborations underscore the festival’s impact: since its inception, the Maryland STEM Festival has engaged thousands in events that combat declining interest in science careers, as noted in national reports on U.S. innovation challenges. In St. Mary’s County, where agriculture, aviation and aquaculture shape the economy, these gatherings equip youth with tools to innovate locally.
Attendees can expect a full day of engagement, from interactive booths to informal networking with educators and professionals. The fairgrounds’ open layout accommodates families, with shaded areas for breaks amid the October weather. As part of October’s statewide observance, the expo reinforces community ties to education, reminding residents that Southern Maryland’s natural assets – from the Patuxent River to starry skies – fuel STEAM discovery. By fostering early interest, events like this contribute to a pipeline of skilled graduates, supporting the county’s growth in high-tech industries.
