Arizona STEM Adventure™
- Grades 4–8
- In-person & virtual options
- Fall
- Students and educators
Every fall, 2,000 4th through 8th grade students from across Arizona adventure through a one-day glimpse into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). STEM professionals from throughout the community share their world to motivate students to complete a science or engineering project of their own. AZ STEM Adventure is offered at no cost. Schools must only provide transportation if attending in-person (some transportation scholarships are available).
Teachers grow their STEM education skills in two hours of professional development
Professional Development provides 50 teachers with best practices in guiding their students through the process of answering questions through science and engineering and $100 in materials. Differentiation for teachers who have participated in the past and those who are new to the program will be provided.
Teachers will receive a certificate from the Waters Center for Systems Thinking upon completion of the STEM Adventure Teacher Professional Development session.
Students engage in hands-on science with STEM professionals
Students experience a variety of hands-on activities and experiences, interact with our scientists and engineers, ask questions, embark on tours, and learn from STEM professionals!
How it works
Application process
- Teachers submit applications for consideration
- Applicants are notified of acceptance or waiting list
- Accepted teachers submit confirmation of intended attendance
A. Virtual track
- Teachers receive materials at their school for PD and the student experience
- Teachers attend PD over Zoom and learn how to use materials in future lessons
- Students attend live experience over Zoom using the additional materials included in the classroom supplies
B. In-person track
- Teachers secure field trip permission, school transportation, and needed chaperones
- Teachers, chaperones, and students travel to PCC NW campus on the field trip day
- Teachers attend PD while students and chaperones explore 40 different exhibits
Choose between the virtual or in-person track
In-person track
At Pima Community College Northwest Campus in Tucson, AZ
Teachers will attend their professional development class, while parents, chaperones, and volunteers guide students to different exhibitor booths and activities.
Schools are required to provide chaperones for their students at an 8:1 student-to-chaperone ratio. Teachers will not be able to serve as one of the chaperones.
*Note: If you would like to attend in person and transportation is your main obstacle, please let us know. We have a limited number of transportation scholarships available if bus service is an insurmountable challenge at your school.
Virtual track
Teacher professional development
The teacher PD session will be held over Zoom after school hours. Teacher will receive a bag of materials worth over $100 and receive training on implementing specific STEM lessons in their classrooms in the future.
Student experience
Students will be able to engage in the STEM Adventure activities in their own classrooms through the live broadcast. Students will interact with our scientists and engineers, ask questions, embark on tours, and learn from STEM professionals! Teachers will be provided separate materials just for this student experience.
Virtual attendance for the entire activity period is expected. Lunch/specials/recess schedule may need to be adjusted to accommodate this.
Important dates
- July 22, 2026 – Applications open
- September 4 – Applications close
- September 11 – Applicants notified of offer or waitlist
- November 18 – Virtual track PD 4:00p-6:00p
- November 19 – Virtual track Student Experience 9:00a-11:00a
- November 20 – In-person track PD and Field Trip 9:00a-1:00p
Registration for this program is currently closed We invite you to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date when registrations open in the future. Get Email Updates
Volunteers needed
The success of AZ STEM Adventure is largely due to the hundred of volunteers that make it happen! We need escorts and event staff to guide students through the different booths and activities. We also need STEM professional and exhibitors to bring a lesson or activity for the students!
Volunteering opportunities
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71 available
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47 available
New for 2026 – AZ Junior STEM Adventure for grades K-3
SARSEF and the University of Arizona Norton School of Human Ecology are offering a pilot session of AZ STEM Adventure geared towards younger learners and their teachers. K-3 classes can apply to attend a special pilot session of this AZ Junior STEM Adventure held on November 6th, 2026. Applications for this K-3 session close August 14.
AZ STEM Adventure wouldn’t be possible without our partners
- Pima Community College
- RTX
- Southwest Center of Optics & Photonics
- The University of Arizona Office of Early Academic Outreach
- Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA)