Thank you for joining us as a workshop partner
X-STEM Workshops - San Diego General Event Information
Date & Time
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Event Time: 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM
Workshop Setup: 7:30 AM
(we recommend arriving no later than 8:00 AM for setup)
Location
San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Please plan for potential traffic delays due to ongoing construction in the area.
Contacts
Nancy van Dillen – nancy@usasciencefestival.org
Christina Sargent – christina@usasciencefestival.org
Below you’ll find a timeline and information to assist in planning your workshop. If you need additional information, please contact us.
Important Dates & Deadlines
ASAP but no later than Sept 1: Complete this Workshop Information Form to provide your workshop title, content description, organization’s logo, and contact details
Oct 1: Confirm workshop details and room set-up requirements
Oct 30: Secure hotel accommodations for your team, if needed. USASEF does not have a room block. City hotels fill up quickly, we recommend making any necessary reservations ASAP
Nov 10: Final sign-off of workshop room set-up (venue diagram will be provided by Nov 3)
Nov 10: Provide names and titles of attendees from your organization who will attend the event (those working the workshops and any other guests)
Dec 1: X-STEM Workshop event takes place at the SD Convention Center
Dec 8: Provide content and resources for the X-STEM Workshops Highlights Newsletter
early-Jan: X-STEM Workshops Newsletter highlight runs
late-Jan: Official X-STEM Workshops Recap Report will be distributed
General Workshop Information
Audience: Approximately 100 middle and high school students (grades 7th–12th) per session, per room ~ 200 total attendees per workshop room for the day. We will provide the final # of workshop attendees approximately 2 weeks before the event (scroll down to access your organization-specific page for this information)
Workshop Format: Presenters will deliver TWO 45–minute workshops (per room). Each session is scheduled for one hour to allow time for seating and wrap-up. We recommend repeating the same workshop for both sessions. Please plan to use the final five minutes to close out your session so students are ready to exit, as transition time between sessions is limited.
Workshop Guidelines: Your X-STEM workshop must be a hands-on and interactive experience for ALL students. The overall goal of X-STEM workshop content is to get kids excited about your STEM topic!
Venue Parking, Arrival & Check-In
Parking:
• The convention center parking garage is accessible from Harbor Drive as you approach the venue
• Use the west end entrance of the convention center parking garage (closest to the Marriott)
• Parking fees apply – click here for parking rates and other info
• After you park, proceed to the Convention Center Entrance TBD
Materials Drop-Off:
• From 7:30-8:30 AM on 12/1, you can pull up to the curb in front of Entrance TBD to drop off your materials (after 8:30 AM, this area will be reserved for bus drop-offs only)
• Entrance TBD is accessible from W. Harbor Drive
• The convention center does NOT have hand trucks available.
Check-in Location: Registration is located in the foyer inside Entrance TBD
Check-in Time: Please arrive between 7:30–8:30 AM. Attendees will begin arriving at 9:15 AM
Day-of Event Information
Day-Of Info & Announcements (link coming soon)
Your Guest & Workshop Staff Info - provide this link to your workshop staff or other guests to communicate arrival, check-in, and other important event details (link coming soon)
Coffee and water will be available for your workshop staff in the Partner & Volunteer Lounge (Room 13). The water station will be available all day. Coffee will be available in the morning. Please encourage your workshop staff to bring a reusable water bottle to help reduce our single-use plastic cup consumption. There will NOT be food or drink available for purchase inside the convention center.
Event Agenda
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Attendee Arrival / Check-In
10:00 AM –11:00 AM: Session One
11:15 AM –12:15 PM: Session Two
12:15 PM: Students return to school or have lunch on the premises
Agenda Page (link coming soon)
Social Media
Share with us! Promote your workshop, staff, and organization by tapping into the USA Science Festival community.
Follow us on social media:
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X & Instagram: @USAScienceFest
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Facebook: @usasciencefestival
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LinkedIn: USA Science Festival
Be sure to use the hashtag #XSTEM when posting about your participation!
Partner-Specific Details
Click below for more details specific to your organization including room and AV specifics
X-STEM WORKSHOPS - San DIego
TBC: Additive Wizards of Design
Students dive into 3D printing, experimenting with additive design to create their own custom flight-ready parts.
X-STEM WORKSHOPS - San DIego
TBC: Meddling in Matter & Magnetism - Sometimes a Repulsive Adventure!
Students build a small electromagnet with various core materials to explore different magnetic strengths.
X-STEM WORKSHOPS - San DIego
TBC: The Frequency Effect
Students explore sound, light & motion with MCTSSA to learn about vibration, pitch, color & reflection while connecting science to everyday life.
X-STEM WORKSHOPS - San DIego
TBC: The Art of Ship Design and Shipbuilding
Students team up to design, build, and test mini cargo vessels, competing to see whose creation is the most efficient and attractive design.
X-STEM WORKSHOPS - San Diego
TBC: Electrical Etching
Students will create a design of anti-corroding electrical tape that will act as a barrier to a saltwater corrosion catalyst.
X-STEM WORKSHOPS - SAN DIEGO
TBC: Paper Speaker – Explore Sound Creation
Students will assembly their own speaker to use on their own device.
