STEP’s mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in the STEM fields including science, technology, engineering and math. The success of our students, as well as the strength of the Inland Empire, depends upon our building and maintaining a technologically advanced workforce. That strong workforce begins with our youth. Technology brings better jobs, better salaries and a better economy for everyone. For the past 23 years, we have been successful in reaching our goals because of the commitment we have received from companies and organizations like yours, our STEP Sponsors.
We offer various levels of sponsorship, each with its own set of benefits, including:
- Your company name/logo incorporated into the STEP Conference logo
- Your company name/logo recognized on literature and official STEP program
- Your company name/logo recognized in A/V presentations shown to all attendees
- Your company link on the STEP website if desired
- ...and more!
Throughout the Year
Since 2000, STEP has initiated a number of events and activities to increase student motivation, interest, and enthusiasm in science and technology. In addition to its annual conference, STEP is also involved in many worthwhile activities that take place throughout the year:
- STEM Summer Learning Labs
Our STEM Summer Learning Labs, initiated in 2015, provide week-long career-focused programs for high school students. In July 2023, STEP conducted 7 in-person programs STEM in Public Utilities (STEM PULL), STEM in Law Enforcement and Public Safety (STEM LEAPS), STEM in Advanced Manufacturing (STEM I AM), STEM Solutions, STEM In Defense (STEM ID). - STEM Academies
STEM Patterns, Puzzles and Practice (STEM P3) The intent of these academies is to provide hands-on STEM learning for younger students to be excited about STEM careers as they navigate through 5th and 6th grade. These academies will encourage younger students to take more advanced classes, particularly in high school math, as they prepare themselves for STEM majors in college. STEM FUNdamentals The intent of these academies is to provide hands-on STEM learning for younger students to be excited about STEM careers as they navigate through middle school. These academies will encourage younger students to take more advanced classes, particularly in high school math, as they prepare themselves for STEM majors in college. - Educator STEPCon
Educator STEPCon is the Inland Empire's premier STEM professional development event for educators of all levels. The purpose of this free conference is to build a STEM culture in the Inland Empire by inspiring hundreds of area educators with motivational keynote speakers, immersive workshops, hands-on activities, engaging discussions, and relevant resources they can readily use with their students. The conference is free for all attendees. - Student STEPCon
Student STEPCon is the premier student STEM conference in the Inland Empire! Participants can experience hands-on Science experiments, interactive technology exhibits and Roundtable discussions, an exciting Science Show, and visit one-on-one with college educators and industry professionals, and enjoy thrilling presentations and demonstrations from a variety of exhibitors. The experience is targeted for 4th grade through 12th grade students. - Science Fair Monetary Award
Each year STEP awards a scholarship award to 3 award winning student research projects. Two $1,000 monetary awards to senior division students, two $500 monetary awards to junior division students, and two $200 monetary awards to elementary division students at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair (RCSEF) and the San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono Science and Engineering Fair (SIMSEF). These awards are the largest of their kind in the two regional science fair competitions in the Inland Empire, California.
What Others are Saying
"Sessions were great. I love the hands on session. Learn by doing is what students need to learn and use their creativity."
Educator STEPCon22 participant
"The area that I liked the most was the show at the beginning of the field trip because it told us how to use a lot of stuff and it was fun but we were learning at the same time."
Student Attendee, STEPCon 22
"I like that the videos & articles gave me a lot of information and some videos made me want to maybe do it in the future."
Virtual Student Attendee, STEPCon 22
"I liked that it was a fun experience and that we were able to see & view people’s success."
Virtual Student Attendee, STEPCon 22
"I liked that there were a lot of people talking about science and they helped me learn more about it."
Student Attendee, STEPCon 22
"What I liked most about STEPCon is seeing and learning all about mathematics, science and engineering."
Student Attendee, STEPCon 22
