Explore. Experience. Engage.
Helping kids and young people explore, experience and engage with all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics!
Encouraging the exploration of STEAM opportunities and experiences for Orange County students.
We want to make it easier for our kids and young people to find the activities, events and programs that will help them explore and engage with STEAM – hopefully encouraging careers in STEAM fields.
So with the support of OC Community College Business & Entrepreneurship initiative, Octane Foundation for Innovation worked with Orange County educators and STEAM organizations to consolidate this “catalog” of pre-K through early career events, activities and programs.
We intend to make this “catalog” readily and easily available to everyone including underserved and underrepresented populations in Orange County because inspiring a more diverse talent base into STEAM jobs and careers is a priority.
Girl Scouts of Orange County
Girl Scouts of Orange County introduces girls of every age to science, technology, engineering and math experiences relevant to everyday life. Girl Scouts of Orange County STEM, Inspire Program, My STEM Life, STEM Badges
MedTech Color
MedTech Color aims to help build a community of leaders of color in the medical device industry. We want to reach this goal by serving as a catalyst for professional development, driving thought leadership and increasing the number of underrepresented executives who enter and stay in the industry.
Project Scientist
Project Scientist is an education nonprofit providing equitable, evidence-based STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs for girls ages 4–24. Project Scientist was created to change the world’s view of who a scientist is and what a scientist does.
Vital Link
Vital Link is an organization dedicated to preparing students for their future careers through experiential learning opportunities. We offer programs that introduce students to the world of robotics, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare and medical, computer programming, digital media arts, automotive technology and more. Through these hands-on programs, we inspire students to feel confident and excited to pursue a fulfilling career.
OC STEM Initiative
The OC STEM Initiative strengthens the educational pipeline in Orange County by promoting competencies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a collaborative network of public and private partnerships
STEM Advantage
STEM Advantage mentors, prepares, and inspires women and underserved communities to pursue STEM careers through paid internships, mentors, scholarships, professional development, and community. We provide economic and social mobility to underserved groups (most are low-income, first-generation college students), while providing a vetted pipeline of diverse talent to businesses to fill their workforce needs.
University Lab Partners
University Lab Partners is an independent, non-profit project of the Beall Family Foundation. It was founded in partnership with the University of California Irvine Beall Applied Innovation. Our open innovation platform enables lifescience & medtech companies to access unique research capabilities and a network of technical, business, and talent resources at an economical cost.
OC Academy of Arts & Sciences
OCASA students learn by doing. They are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, make discoveries, observe patterns, exhibit creativity, and reflect on their own work. OCASA operates two schools designed to help your Elementary, Middle, or High School student launch their bright future.
Dreams for Schools
Dreams for Schools is a 501(c)(3) that oversees programs and initiatives that contribute to educating youth about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math (STEAM) fields.
S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge
With an urgent need to inspire students about S.T.E.A.M., the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge rewards and excites early readers and cultivates a passion for STEM. Self-driving cars and space travel are fast becoming a reality and no longer science fiction. Innovations such as these are today’s student’s future.
Music Preserves Foundation
Music Preserves Foundation’s mission is to inspire and educate our community through the preservation and presentation of music. We do that by sharing the rich cultural history of American Music in schools and the community at large.
High School Inc. Academies Foundation
High School Inc. positively links social equity and economic values in school and at work by supporting the signature C-H-A-N-G-E Academies at Santa Ana Valley High School. These six core college and career readiness academies enrich a student’s learning experience by equipping students with the skills, opportunities, and relationships they need to succeed.
CEO Leadership Alliance
We connect leading OC companies to the talent pipeline, beginning in high school through our signature Career Exploration Experience. We work closely with our community college and education partners around internships, externships and capstone projects. We have two fellowship programs for students, Brighter Futures for high school and Orange Fellows for early career professionals.
CyberForward Academy
CyberForward is a professional development organization that rapidly develops effective job-ready cyber security professionals. Our mission is to address the cyber security resource shortage and skills gap by connecting the dots of career preparation via middle and high school programs, next level college courses, adult re-skilling, and workforce development.
Achievement Institute for STEM Scholars
Achievement Institute for STEM Scholars’ (AISS) guides high achieving, economically disadvantaged students interested in pursuing a career in the STEM fields. AISS offers a College to Career Readiness STEM Program over two years (11th and 12th grades), preparing students for the STEM careers that will change their economic situations forever.
Girls Inc. of Orange County
Girls Inc. STEM programming creates an environment in which girls are encouraged to explore their STEM interests through fun, accessible, and interactive activities. STEM program topics range from robotics, engineering, space exploration, science experiments, data and advocacy, biomimicry, CSI, and more!
Urban Workshop
Urban Workshop is a 28,000 square foot makers paradise located in Costa Mesa. Students 10+ learn how to use a huge variety of tools and equipment including woodworking, metal, welding, CNC, Lasers, 3D printers, Arduino, and much more.
Beyond Blindness
Beyond Blindness, formerly Blind Children’s Learning Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of empowering children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. Areas of service include Early Intervention, Education + Enrichment, and Family Support, which all aim to help children, no matter their abilities, live full and rewarding lives. The Beyond Blindness team embraces a people-first approach and values family, connection, impact, inclusion, stewardship, and optimism.
Environmental Nature Center
Environmental Nature Center provides nature-based programs to students and teachers.
Society of Women Engineers, Orange County
Empower women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders; expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion.
Child Creativity Lab
Child Creativity Lab is dedicated to teaching STEM subjects through artistic creativity. Our goal is putting the A into STEAM. We use kits containing upcycled materials alongside expertly crafted lesson plans to encourage creative thinking and problem solving in children. CCL can bring these experiences wherever they are needed.
TGR Foundation – A Tiger Woods Charity
TGR Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our mission is to empower youth through education, and we provide resources and support to help under-resourced students thrive. Mentorship, career guidance, specialized workshops and one-on-one support allow us to meet the needs of the whole student on their path to success.
Orange Department of Education
OCDE’s vision, outlined in its most recent Strategic Plan, is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.” OCDE works to achieve this goal and support state and national initiatives through a number of STEM-related programs and partnerships with local districts and businesses.
Get Involved with STEAM Ahead
Events Search and Views Navigation
April 2023
Octane’s Annual Partner Summit
The Octane Team would like to invite you to our annual Partner Summit. The virtual Summit will be an opportunity share our high-impact results we have had collectively in the community, thank our current partners, and meet with business colleagues. Please be sure to register for the event to receive the log in information via email. We look forward to seeing you there! REGISTER HERE>>
Find out more »Women Leaders of Octane- April 2023 Quarterly Meeting
Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, April 19th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST, featuring Thought Leader: Anne Mulcahy In addition to our thought leader, our committee chairs will share progress reports. Our Committees and Committee Chairs: Creating Women-led Businesses & LaunchPad Committee – Marinela Gombosev, SPARK Neuro Funding Committee – Delilah Panio, Toronto Stock Exchange Women on Boards Committee – Joyce Averna, JP Morgan Private Bank Resources & Communications – Nanneke Dinklo Plus, after the WLO Quarterly meeting,…
Find out more »May 2023
Tech Innovation Forum 2023
Tech Innovation Forum 2023 will focus on the acceleration of innovation in technology. The Forum will concentrate on topics such as the next industrial revolution- the role that Southern California is playing in both climate tech and space, and feature topics related to the investment landscape for emerging and growth companies. Learn more. Register here.
Find out more »June 2023
Ophthalmology Tech Forum 2023
Join industry physicians and top ophthalmologists who are defining the future of the field at Octane’s Ophthalmology Technology Forum (OTF). The event is held annually in Orange County, the center for Ophthalmology in the US. We will be hosting Ophthalmology Tech Forum 2023 as a hybrid experience, which will allow our guests to attend in person or online. Learn more Register here
Find out more »July 2023
Women Leaders of Octane – July 2023 Quarterly Meeting
Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, July 19th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST, featuring Thought Leader: Cynthia West, Ph.D. In addition to our thought leader, our committee chairs will share progress reports. Our Committees and Committee Chairs: Creating Women-led Businesses & LaunchPad Committee – Marinela Gombosev, SPARK Neuro Funding Committee – Delilah Panio, Toronto Stock Exchange Women on Boards Committee – Joyce Averna, JP Morgan Private Bank Resources & Communications – Nanneke Dinklo Plus, after the WLO Quarterly…
Find out more »September 2023
Cardiovascular Tech Summit 2023
Octane’s Cardiovascular Tech Summit 2023 will synergize innovative solutions in cardiology with physicians, industry strategics, and investors convening together to advance patient care. The Summit will explore the unmet needs in cardiology, highlight current buying trends of strategics and investors, review current funding models of cardiology innovation, present innovation trends, and showcase top emerging cardiology companies to our ecosystem of strategics and investors.
Find out more »High Tech Awards 2023
The much-anticipated High Tech Awards celebrate the top innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders in Orange County. Join us for the 2023 High Tech Awards to celebrate and recognize those individuals and companies who make Orange County a center of technology and medical technology innovation.
Find out more »October 2023
Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum 2023
Octane will host our Medical Innovation Forum 2023 as an in-person experience. Join us in collaborating with industry experts, strategics, physicians, entrepreneurs, and investors who have made significant strides toward an accelerated future in the medical industry. The Forum will highlight the wide-ranging impact of the most recent medical innovations and how the industry will adapt to enhance patient care.
Find out more »