S.T.E.A.M. Machines, the daylong, free expo hosted by the Santa Monica Pier Corporation in partnership with Heal the Bay, returns to the Pier’s East Deck on March 5th. The day is devoted to science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, represented by a medley of innovative exhibitors and the LA regional Rube Goldberg Machine Contest.
Check out exhibitors from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, as well a host of original, cutting edge enterprises.
The contest begins at 11:30 a.m., when teams from middle schools, high schools, and colleges face off in the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, running their innovative, whimsical contraptions that complete the task of applying a Band-Aid through a complicated series of steps. Judges from JPL, SpaceX, and others will proclaim the winners, who advance to a national competition.
Come for the competition, the stimulating, hands-on opportunities to create – and for the ice cream churned with pedal power. Stop in the Aquarium below deck for an opportunity to operate an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle), tinker with snap circuits and robotic arms, and work with an inventive “Makey Makey” kit. The day’s events will be updated regularly at http://santamonicapier.org/steam/
