College of Sciences Connects with Central Florida Community at Spark STEM Fest 

Faculty and Students come together to bring unique STEM demos to children at the Orlando Science Center 

By: Emily Dougherty | February 28, 2025 

The College of Sciences showcased its commitment to community outreach, innovation, and STEM education at the Spark STEM Fest, hosted at the Orlando Science Center in collaboration with UCF’s Office of Research.   

Over the course of three days, faculty and students came together to present hands-on demos, helping to inspire curiosity in science for children and adults. These engagements also provided alumni and future Knights the opportunity to learn more about the College of Sciences and its initiatives.   

College of Sciences Communications Specialist II, Ana Hidalgo, was onsite to support the faculty and students with their demonstrations. She says the experience gave her insight into kids being introduced to STEM fields outside of the classroom. 

“My favorite part about engaging with kids and families at the Spark STEM Fest was making science more accessible through interactive exhibits that connect them directly to real-world applications,” Hidalgo says. “Seeing their curiosity grow as they experienced science in action was a rewarding experience. It was also a great opportunity to spark their interest in STEM and inspire them to explore future careers in the field by meeting experts.” 

The Department of Physics kicked off the College of Sciences’ exhibition with a demo entitled, “Electromagnetic Waves in Everyday Life.” This exciting demo from Associate Professor of Physics, Mihai Vaida and his graduate students gave attendees the opportunity to see how vibrant lasers interact with different materials.  

Additional departments participated in the College of Sciences series of exhibits. Department of Sociology’s Lecturer, Undergraduate Director, and Social Sciences Program Director, Angela Vergara and her graduate students provided an up-close experience with spatial sociology for Spark STEM Fest attendees. Children and adults immersed themselves in an underwater coral reef through virtual reality headsets and engaged in blocking and coding challenges moving a robotic ball across a floor rug and a simulated drone scenario.

Associate Professor of Physics and Lunar-VISE principal investigator, Kerri Donaldson Hanna, was onsite at the College of Sciences table with her graduate students presented their exhibit, “To the Moon!” They shared examples of the types of instruments that will be used in the Lunar-VISE mission, including thermal and infrared spectrometer cameras—which will help researchers analyze the moon’s physical properties and composition.  

On the final day of the Spark STEM Fest, UCF STEM Ambassadors gave children an up-close look at DNA fingerprinting through a strawberry DNA extraction lab. Attendees were able to get a sweet look at what makes each person unique. The graduate students shared about the rationale behind DNA’s nickname “science’s detective,” given that it’s found in blood, hair, and fingerprints, which play a crucial role in solving crimes. 

Christina Vega, event coordinator for the College of Sciences, says this event gives the Central Florida community the opportunity to connect with students and faculty to learn more about their work. 

“Spark STEM Fest was a great opportunity to give the community direct access to some of the research and work our faculty and students are doing in their respective fields,” Vega says. “Not everyone gets the chance to directly engage with science researchers on a regular basis, so having events like this really helps people see what’s possible in STEM fields.” 

One of those fields is biology, and UCF’s Department of Biology gave a creative demo that encouraged kids to take home part of their experience. Children were able to use craft supplies, such as pipe cleaners and slices of pool noodles, to bring their underwater creature to life. Through this activity, attendees were able to learn about shark and crab anatomy and the essential role these marine creatures perform in ocean ecosystems.  

Hidalgo says through this kind of outreach, the College of Sciences can help young students gain an interest in science from a young age, creating the next generation of STEM leaders. 

“I think UCF’s presence at events like these can make a big difference in inspiring the next generation of STEM majors. By spotlighting the achievements and research of students and faculty from various backgrounds and fields, it gives future students a chance to see themselves in these careers and get excited about the career paths available to them,” Hidalgo says. “I also think that showing UCF’s commitment to making the sciences more accessible, through things like mentorship and support, could be what encourages them to take that first step into a STEM career.”