Oceanography

Primary tabs

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Guests will understand the principles of buoyancy by experimenting with their own diver. Participants will be able to- ● Define and understand the concept of buoyancy ● Explain how a fish moves up and down in the water column ● Engage in the scientific process by conducting a water experiment using a diver and playing with the concept of buoyancy.

National University

Learn about ocean plastic pollution and animal anatomy! Our table will offer examples of ocean plastic pollution and visual materials related to this. Visitors will do a quick experiment to determine the type of plastic in the pollutants. For younger children, NOAA-published age-appropriate materials (coloring sheets, puzzles) will be available. In addition, we will offer human and animal models for examination, with visitors being asked to identify different anatomical regions.

National Park Service - Cabrillo National Monument

Festival participants will discover and learn about the science projects performed at Cabrillo National Monument with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that highlight our herpetofauna (reptile & amphibian) monitoring and Science Explorer's Club. Participants will take data about our native reptiles & amphibians as well as exploring other science themes (tidepool monitoring, bird monitoring, etc.).

General Dynamics NASSCO

NASSCO welcomes families to our booth for an interactive build-your-boat competition. Volunteers from San Diego's hometown shipyard will be on site to describe how ships are designed, built and repaired in historic Barrio Logan. A model of a new Navy ship - the TAO oil replenishment ship - will be on display. This new series of ship for the Navy will travel the world securing our nation. For more information on NASSCO, like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/GeneralDynamicsNASSCO

League of Extradordinary Scientists and Enginneers and J Craig Venter Institute

In the “Making Waves” tour, kids and adults will be introduced to marine plankton and encouraged to think critically about what makes them unique and important in providing much of our oxygen and key players at the base of the marine food web. This event will include the JCVI Mobile BioLab, a modified motor coach, outfitted with advanced laboratory equipment. We will have multiple types of microscopes onboard enabling participants to visualize the microscopic work of marine phytoplankton.

Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Project

The Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Project (GAVRT) is a partnership between NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Lewis Center for Educational Research, a K-12 Charter School in Apple Valley, California. GAVRT trains educators on the basics of radio astronomy, technical topics pertinent to the project’s science observation campaigns, and telescope operations. Once trained, educators schedule time on the radio telescope for their class to collect data on a strong radio source.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Guests will test, build, and design their own Cartesian diver using principles of buoyancy in relation to fish. They will be able to define and understand the concept of buoyancy, explain how a fish moves up and down in the water column, and engage in the scientific process. The activity will have fish and shark diagrams to show how these animals stay buoyant, bins filled with water to test buoyancy of "divers", and the opportunity for guests to design and test their own cartesian divers.

2025 Festival Presenting Sponsor

2025 Festival Platinum Sponsor

2025 Festival Gold Sponsors

We Love Our 2025 Sponsors!

It takes true community spirit and engagement to build a successful Festival Week and momentum to support ongoing programs. Our mission is to provide meaningful year-round STEAM experiences for youth and adults alike in San Diego, and throughout the state of CA through our virtual platform.

2025 Sponsors  

Contact Us

Want to attend?

Want to get involved?

Have a question?

Send us a message and we will get back with you right away!