West Columbia’s Kinetic Derby Day, featuring iMAGINE STEAM Festival, is Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m.-3 pm. This year, the return of the Kinetic Sculpture Parade will kick off the day, followed by soapbox racing, obstacle course racing, and the iMAGINE STEAM Festival on State Street throughout the day. As always, the event spurs creative thinking, competition, and family fun as teams come together to build unusual vehicles and awe-inspiring art installations. To register to build, race, volunteer, or be a vendor, and join in the fun, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.
The iMAGINE STEAM Festival on State features interactive exhibits emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) to ignite the interests of Pre-K through 12th-grade students (and their families) in STEAM subjects by giving them exposure to STEAM careers, skilled trades jobs, and education pathways. The Kids’ Zone, presented by the Boys and Girls Club, will host exhibition soapbox racing for the little ones.
At the bottom of the hill, a food truck rally hosts festival-goers for a bite to eat, and West Columbia’s Interactive Art Park houses the Meeting Street Artisan Market for some unique shopping. At the corner of Meeting and State streets, a giant slide will be sure to bring a crowd. The businesses in the River District will also be open for shopping and dining.
“The Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE STEAM Festival is unique in that it brings together business and industry partners, schools, nonprofit, and community organizations,” said Dallas Thomas, Program Coordinator for iMAGINE. “Each plays a role in capturing a student’s imagination and inspiring a passion for STEAM. We welcome involvement from any organization wishing to participate. Families, you are invited to join us in April for free. See you there!”
West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said, “Kinetic Derby Day is one of my favorite events held in the city. My daughters have been racing in it since they turned 8 and participated in the parade! We are excited to partner with iMAGINE this year to add a new dimension to the event with the added STEAM vendors on State Street. We hope it will draw even more people to check out West Columbia’s River District and all we have to offer.”
For more information, to volunteer, register a team, or become a vendor, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.
About Kinetic Derby Day
The mission of Kinetic Derby Day is to inspire creative problem-solving, build community pride, and showcase our growing community welcoming economic investment. The event is intended to inspire creative thinkers and help develop problem-solving skills to construct the ideas imagined. For more information, visit www.kineticderbyday.com.
About iMAGINE
iMAGINE is a program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University. Its mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in South Carolina. For more information visit https://www.imaginesteamsc.org/ or contact Dallas Thomas at dthomas@sccoalition.org.
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