The SoCal STEAM Challenge is dedicated to cultivating a sustainable future by empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders in Southern California. Our mission is to provide students with comprehensive information and resources, igniting their passion for careers in STEAM fields. Through education and advocacy, we aim to instill a deep understanding of the value of Earth’s resources, with a focus on water and energy, and their critical role in sustaining our communities and ecosystems, ensuring that young minds lead the way in sustainable innovation and environmental responsibility.

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The SoCal STEAM Challenge gathers high school students from across the Inland Empire to build and race sixteen-foot boats equipped with solar technology.

 

This three-day event, held at Yucaipa Regional Park, includes an endurance, slalom and sprint race. In the months before the event, teams must prepare two technical reports and a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about water conservation. Students are also required to present their PSA at the event. The team with the most points overall wins the competition.

 

Once built, teams take the boats back to their schools where they spend many hours fitting them with the required technology. During this time students fine tune their designs to prepare for competition.

 

The cost of the event is paid for through local sponsorships. The high schools provide the classroom space to work on the boats, while motivated instructors help the students get the most out of this learning experience.

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