More than 900 students and families gathered at San Marcos High School on Saturday, April 11, for the annual S.T.E.A.M. Fair, a community-driven event designed to connect young learners with real-world career opportunities through hands-on experiences.
Hosted by the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with San Marcos CISD, the free event featured more than 50 exhibitors, including local businesses, nonprofits and SMCISD campuses, all working together to inspire the next generation of the workforce.
From a virtual reality playroom to an exotic animal exhibit and a planetarium, the event offered engaging, interactive activities for attendees of all ages. Students explored booths hosted by local businesses, San Marcos CISD schools, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, where high school students led demonstrations and shared what they are learning in the classroom.
“The S.T.E.A.M. Fair is about creating meaningful connections between education and industry,” said Page Michel, president and CEO of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce. “When students can engage with hands-on experiences and see careers in action, it opens their eyes to new possibilities and helps them envision their future right here in our community.”
The event also featured unique attractions such as moon rocks from NASA, high-voltage demonstrations, a paper airplane challenge, public safety vehicles and live student performances, all aimed at making learning interactive and accessible.
For San Marcos High School’s CTE program, the event also served as a platform for students to step into leadership roles while showcasing their skills and knowledge to the community. By leading demonstrations and engaging with younger students, they brought classroom learning to life in a meaningful way.
“This event gives our students the chance to not only demonstrate what they’re learning, but to inspire younger students to explore these pathways,” said CJ Odam, Director of CTE and CCMR at San Marcos CISD. “It’s powerful to see students teaching students and building excitement around future careers.”
The fair was made possible through the support of community sponsors, including CHRISTUS Health, Texas Oncology, CFAN, Rosendin, Chick-fil-A, Texas State University, United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties, Chuck Nash Auto Group, US Aviation Academy, A+ Federal Credit Union, City Limits Subaru, myDental, Ranch at 1856 Apartments, and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.
Organizers emphasized that events like the S.T.E.A.M. Fair play a critical role in workforce development by helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications. By bringing together educators, industry leaders and families, the event continues to position San Marcos as a community invested in preparing its future workforce.
For more information about future events and initiatives, visit sanmarcostexas.com or contact the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce at chamber@sanmarcostexas.com or 512-393-5900.
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