More than 300 students, families and community members filled Southern Lehigh Middle School on Thursday evening for the school’s fourth annual STEAM Expo, a growing showcase of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in action.
What began as a response to families’ desire for deeper connections to STEM fields has evolved into a vibrant, multidisciplinary event that bridges classrooms with colleges, industry and community partners.
“The STEAM Expo was initially sparked by listening to our families’ desire for deeper connections to the STEM field,” said Principal Deanna Webb. “What began as a goal to bridge the gap between our classrooms and local industry evolved into a vibrant, multi-disciplinary showcase. This year, we had our highest turnout yet of over 300 visitors who explored exhibits from more than 30 community partners and SLSD groups.”
Among those partners was Lehigh University, marking the third consecutive year that Creative Inquiry’s Impact Fellowship teams have participated in the Expo. This year, four Global Social Impact Fellowship teams engaged middle school students and families: CareAlert, AISHA, Newtrition and Save Tuba. Two additional Lehigh booths featured Jill Forrest, director of Academic Outreach, and representatives from Lehigh Bioengineering.
Throughout the evening, Lehigh students showcased their research, discussed upcoming international fieldwork and demonstrated how engineering and entrepreneurship can address global challenges. The conversations invited middle school students to see how classroom curiosity can grow into innovation and service.
Webb said partnerships with Lehigh and other regional institutions give students more than exposure to collegiate research. They provide a roadmap for how young learners can channel their interests into meaningful careers and community impact.
“Our goal is to show students that STEAM is more than a career path,” Webb said. “It is a world full of possibilities. This event has become a live gallery of achievement for our students and the local community. At its heart, the STEAM Expo is where student passion meets community inspiration.”
Lehigh’s participation was part of a broader network of collaborators, including LCTI, Demco Automation, St. Luke’s, DeSales University, the Nurture Nature Center and the National Museum of Industrial History. Together, more than 30 partners hosted interactive exhibits ranging from robotics and engineering demonstrations to healthcare innovations and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Families moved through classrooms transformed into hands-on learning spaces, exploring real-world applications of science, technology and the arts.
Now in its fourth year, the STEAM Expo continues to grow in scale and reach, strengthening connections between Southern Lehigh schools and the broader community. With record attendance and expanded partnerships, the event reflects a shared commitment to preparing students for the opportunities ahead.