Biggest STEM Expo celebrates 10 years
Dallas ISD is home to the largest STEM Expo in Texas and this year, it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary. The STEM Expo is more than simply a science fair, it also allows students to investigate, design, and create real-world science, technology, engineering and math activities and projects and brings together numerous district departments and campuses, as well as industry and academic partners.
Crystal Alexander has been the woman behind the scene since planning started for the first STEM Expo, which took place in the spring of 2014. Alexander, who has worked for the district for 23 years, graduated from what is now the Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center.
She has worked as the STEM manager, STEM EXPO coordinator, and currently leads the math department. As a math manager, she helps develop and oversee the district’s Tier 1 K-12 mathematics curriculum, instructional framework, and assessment plan, as well as professional development for teachers and leaders.
This year, Dallas ISD anticipates 5,000 to attend the STEM Expo, which began with 500 participants the first year.
“Our participants often get enthusiastic when they see new exhibitions or get in touch early to volunteer or participate,” Alexander said. “The most positive comment is witnessing families come back year after year with more members.”
This is not only a student-focused event; educators, parents, community members, and other stakeholders can engage in more than 100 exciting activities and network with local academic partners in the area. Also, the Expo provides a showcase for the incredible programs that Dallas ISD offers, including our STEM and STEAM-focused programs, Career Institutes, Collegiate Academies, and Career and Technical Education Pathways, she said.
Alexander anticipates that this year’s participants will be captivated and interested in STEM-related experiments and activities.
“For the past 10 years, this has been an amazing opportunity and the greatest accomplishment of my career, being able to coordinate such an amazing event for the DFW community,” Alexander said. “It gives me great pleasure to continue the work and connect with campuses and leaders within the district, industry and academic partners, and DFW community members in providing an academic experience where our participants can create, build, and design while making connections to STEM-focused career fields and/or areas of study.”
This year’s 2024 Expo will take place in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3. For additional information visit 2024 STEM EXPO
