7th Annual Let’s Grow STEAMx Youth College & Career Expo
7th Annual Let’s Grow STEAMx
Youth College and Career Expo
February 9–10, 2026 | Columbus Convention & Trade Center
You Belong Here: Owning Your Power in Engineering & Mathematics
Experience the Region’s Premier College, Career, & STEAM Readiness Event
The Let’s Grow STEAMx Youth College & Career Expo is a two-day immersive experience designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and connect future leaders with real pathways in education, careers, and STEAM exploration.
This Expo is powered by our IFES mission to:
- Inspire future leaders
- Foster curiosity
- Expand opportunities
- Strengthen communities
Whether you’re an elementary student discovering STEAM or a high school student preparing for college and career, you belong here —and your future starts now.
Event Schedule
DAY 1: Experience STEAMx
Monday, February 9, 2026
9AM–12PM | Grades 3–5
Grades 3–5
A fun, interactive, hands-on STEAM day where younger future leaders explore and discover.
Future leaders will enjoy:
- Interactive science, tech, engineering, art & math stations
- Creative build-it challenges
- Live demonstrations & experiments
- Confidence-boosting activities
- Opportunities to meet real engineers, creators & innovators
DAY 2: Youth College & Career Expo (YCCExpo)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
9AM–2PM | Grades 9–12
A powerful readiness experience for future leaders preparing for college, careers, and life after graduation.
Future leaders will be able to:
- Connect with colleges, companies & training programs
- Hear from diverse speakers & industry leaders
- Visit meaningful exhibitor booths
- Attend career readiness workshops & seminars
- Participate in mock interviews
- Collect digital resources in their Expo backpack
- Earn points & prizes using the Expo app
- Continue exploring content for 30 days after the event
Experience YCCExpo App
High school participants may bring their devices to access the YCCExpo App:
- Personalized agenda
- Notes & reminders
- Digital backpack
- Leaderboard points
- Session alerts
- Post-event access
- Download the Event App
- Visit the App Store
- Download the vFairs App
- Sign in using the same email you used during YCCExpo registration
(Use our event app for digital engagement, resources, post-event access & to win cool prizes)
YCCExpo Keynote Speaker
Dr. Calvin Mackie
Dr. Calvin Mackie is a nationally celebrated engineer, entrepreneur, and STEM powerhouse who has dedicated his life to lighting a fire in the next generation of innovators. As the founder of STEM NOLA, Dr. Mackie has brought hands-on STEM experiences to more than 150,000 young people — showing students that greatness isn’t defined by where you start, but how big you’re willing to dream.
A former engineering professor turned national STEM leader, Dr. Mackie is known for his high-energy talks, real talk honesty, and ability to make every young person in the room believe that their future is limitless. His message blends inspiration with action — pushing future leaders to own their brilliance, step boldly into opportunity, and see themselves as builders, creators, and problem-solvers.
Dr. Mackie has been recognized at the highest levels for his leadership, including praise from national organizations, major corporations, and education leaders across the country. But his greatest passion is simple: empowering young people to rise, lead, and transform their communities.
When Dr. Calvin Mackie steps on stage, expect truth, expect energy, and expect to walk away believing that your future and the power to shape it — is already in your hands.
Proud Partner: PROBE College Fair
Strengthening the Path from High School to Higher Education
We are thrilled to welcome the PROBE College Fair as an official partner. This collaboration brings an extraordinary opportunity for high school future leaders to explore colleges and universities from across the nation—all in one place.
High school attendees will be able to:
- Meet admissions representatives from dozens of colleges and universities
- Explore HBCUs, public and private institutions, technical colleges & military pathways
- Learn about majors, programs, financial aid & scholarships
- Gather college information and materials
- Build confidence for their next steps
- This partnership amplifies our commitment to ensuring every future leader has access to opportunity.
Present or Volunteer at YCCExpo
The success of the Youth College & Career Expo depends on passionate community members who
are excited to inspire future leaders. If you have expertise to share—or simply a heart for service—we
invite you to get involved.
Interested in Presenting a Topic?
We welcome dynamic, youth-centered presenters who can bring fresh insights, real-world experiences, and engaging content to our Expo.
Ideal presentation topics include:
- STEAM careers & pathways
- Engineering, aviation, or technology
- Leadership & personal development
- Financial literacy, entrepreneurship, or workforce readiness
- Career stories & “day in the life” experiences
- Life skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving)
- College readiness & application guidance
Presenters provide:
- A 20–30 minute interactive workshop or
- A hands-on demonstration or talk
- A passion for uplifting youth ages 14–18
- A willingness to share honest, growth-centered insight
If you’d like to present, please complete:
Why Your Support Matters
By presenting or volunteering, you help us:
- Inspire future leaders
- Expand access to real-world opportunities
- Strengthen communities
- Build a village of support around every student
Together, we are shaping the future—one young mind at a time.
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Volunteer at YCCExpo
Join the Let’s Grow STEAMx team to help create a smooth, welcoming, and exciting experience for
Volunteer roles include:
- Registration & check-in
- App support helpers
- Workshop assistants
- Mock interview
- volunteers
- Exhibitor support
- Hospitality & student flow
- Prize table & leaderboard support
- Experience STEAMx activity assistants (Day 1)
Volunteers bring
- A positive, encouraging attitude
- Dependability and professionalism
- A desire to support and uplift youth
- A willingness to help where needed
Interested in serving?
We are looking for exhibitors from industries including:
Construction & Design (engineering firms, architects, contractors, trades)
Technology (software, IT services, cybersecurity, robotics, AI)
Healthcare (hospitals, clinics, medical training programs, biotech)
Manufacturing (advanced manufacturing, logistics, production)
Creative & Communication (media, design, marketing, content creation)
Business & Finance (entrepreneurship, banking, retail leadership, accounting)
Human Services (nonprofits, social work, youth services, public service)
Post-Secondary Education (colleges, universities, technical schools, training programs)
Energy & Utilities (power companies, renewable energy, engineering teams)
Transportation & Aviation (aerospace, trucking, logistics, airport operations)
Safety & Military (public safety, law enforcement, EMS, armed forces)
For Exhibitors & Industry Partners
For Exhibitors & Industry Partners Join us in shaping the next generation of innovators, creators, builders, and leaders. The Youth College & Career Expo brings together future leaders with the companies, professionals,and institutions who are powering our region’s economy and workforce. We are actively seeking exhibitors and hands-on partners from a wide range of industries to help
Why Exhibit?
- Introduce future talent to your industry
- Inspire students through hands-on activities and real-world demos
- Build early workforce connections
- Increase visibility among schools, families, and the broader community
- Share resources, training programs, internships, or scholarship pathways
What Exhibitors Provide
- A booth or activity station
- One hands-on demo, challenge, or interactive display
- Enthusiastic engagement with middle and high school students
- Optional giveaways or resources for their digital backpacks
Your presence creates possibilities.
You help students imagine what’s possible, discover new pathways, and see a future they can build with their own hands.
Interested in being an exhibitor or sponsor? Contact us at YCCExpo@letsgrowsteam.org