Hundreds of local schoolchildren will get hands-on exposure to science, technology, engineering and math at the 2026 UC STEM Fest, to be held Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at Rex & Margaret Fortune Early College High School in Elk Grove. 

More than 60 activities and exhibits are tailored to students from kindergarten through second grade, and from third through 12^th grade. Information will also be available about college programs in STEM, including through the UC Davis Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program, and from local technology companies. 

“Our goal is to get kids interested in careers in STEM and to educate our community about the programs that we offer,” said C. "Dr T" Thompson, director of the MESA program. 

UC STEM Fest is organized by the UC Davis MESA, the UC Office of the President and STEM Global Action. 

“We are excited to bring this high-impact, community-centered event to Elk Grove,” said Calvin Mackie, CEO and co-founder of STEM Global Action. “Our mission is to make STEM education accessible and inspiring — especially in communities that are historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Every child who walks through those doors deserves to see a future built for them.”

College students and STEM professionals are encouraged to sign up as volunteers to help guide experiments and mentor students. Undergraduate volunteers will receive a $50 stipend and the opportunity to earn community service hours while building professional networks. 

UC STEM Fest is sponsored by the California Department of Transportation. Other major sponsors include UC Davis Health, Raley’s, the UC Davis Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) and SMUD.