Explore. Experience. Engage.
Helping kids and young people explore, experience and engage with all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics!
Unlocking STEAM Opportunities for Orange County Students
Discover the world of STEAM and ignite your potential for a future in innovation! We make it simple for kids and young individuals in Orange County to explore enriching activities, events, and programs that foster engagement with STEAM fields. With the support of OC Community College Business & Entrepreneurship initiative, the Octane Foundation for Innovation collaborated with Orange County educators and STEAM organizations to create a comprehensive “catalog” of opportunities spanning from pre-K through early career stages.
Our mission is to ensure that every student has easy access to this invaluable resource. We are committed to reaching underserved and underrepresented populations in Orange County, inspiring a more diverse talent base to pursue exciting STEAM careers. Take the first step towards a brighter future – dive into our curated STEAM catalog today!
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
Women Leaders of Octane – October Quarterly Meeting
VirtualRegister Here >> Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, October 18th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST, featuring Thought Leader: Kristen B. Slaoui, Ph.D., Chief […]
Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum 2023
Irvine Marriott 18000 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA, United StatesOctane 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 […]
Women Leaders of Octane Reception at Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum
Irvine Marriott 18000 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA, United StatesCome and join us for the Women Leaders of Octane Reception at Octane's Medical Innovation Forum Sponsored by Microvention. Date: Thursday, October 26 Time: 4:15pm - 6:15pm Location: Irvine Marriott […]
Aesthetics Tech Forum
Balboa Bay Resort 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA, United StatesOctane’s Aesthetics Tech Forum is the premier event for physicians, industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs in the aesthetics technology space. Our Forum brings together thought leaders and innovators to explore […]
Ophthalmology Tech Forum 2024
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA, United StatesAt Ophthalmology Tech Forum, industry, key opinion leaders, and top ophthalmologists discuss the future of the industry. The event is held annually in Orange County, the center for Ophthalmology in […]