Salinas, Calif. – The Hartnell College Foundation and the K-12 STEAM Programs proudly present the 20th Annual STEAM Family Science Day on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hartnell College, 411 Central Avenue in Salinas. 

The free event will feature hands-on STEAM activities, scientific demonstrations, live Mariachi music, Aztec and Folkloric dancing, reptiles, food vendors, community resources, and plenty of family fun!

“We couldn’t be more grateful to Hartnell for opening its doors for this family event and to Chevron, our sponsor, for creating meaningful STEAM opportunities for our young students and families across the Salinas Valley,” said Ana Ibarra-Castro, director of K-12 STEAM Programs at Hartnell College Foundation. “Family Science Day is a celebration of curiosity and possibility.”

This event welcomes participants of all ages to enjoy fun STEAM activities and learn more about STEAM at Hartnell College. Student clubs, staff, and faculty will highlight innovation and the fantastic world of science to inspire the next generation of scientists in the Salinas Valley.

At the heart of this STEAM celebration is the keynote address by Dr. Anna Serbinenko, a professional aerobatic performer and instructor who dazzles audiences with her breathtaking “Sky Dancing” in airshows across North America. Anna, who holds a PhD in financial mathematics and speaks seven languages fluently, brings her passion for flight and STEM to life, inspiring young boys and girls.

Building on its tradition of innovation, Family Science Day will once again host a series of local STEAM events, competitions, inspiring speakers, and family-friendly entertainment, promising an engaging and educational experience for everyone. One of these events is the California Invention Convention, where students from the Salinas City Elementary School District (SCESD) will showcase their creativity and experience the power of imagination and invention education.

The Hartnell College Foundation is also proud to host MESA Day and the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Competition, a highly selective NASA initiative for college students pursuing STEM careers. During Family Science Day, students will present their final engineering projects, autonomous rovers they designed, built, and programmed, showcasing their skills in design, iteration, teamwork, and problem-solving to families, educators, community members, and industry partners.

“Our goal is for every student to feel like they belong in STEM and to showcase innovative instructors, programs, and projects carried out by our partners at SCESD, AUSD, Hartnell, and MESA,” said Ibarra-Castro

Concurrently, the San Jose Tech Interactive will return to Hartnell College to host a Tech Challenge trial, engaging students from Alisal Unified School District (AUSD) and SCESD. The Monterey County Office of Education’s (MCOE) Mobile Fab Lab will also be on site, giving students the chance to get hands-on with creative, high-tech projects and explore the exciting world of engineering and design.

ABOUT HARTNELL COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Hartnell College Foundation was established in 1979 by a committed group of community volunteers to support Hartnell College with its philanthropic work, support for scholarships, innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, public-private partnerships, and bond campaigns to support the educational success, and workforce training of the citizenry of the Salinas Valley. For more information go to www.hartnellfoundation.org.