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
October 2022
Octane / Insperity Webinar: Recession, Inflation, Business realities – what they mean to your employees and your profits
Join Octane and Insperity for a live webinar on Wednesday, October 12th at 8AM PST. Tough times don't last; tough people do. In business, tough means resilient, adaptable, strategic, and focused on a vision. Unfortunately, the news lately has been ominous, and the economy, the stock market, and the supply chain are all telling us there might be a storm approaching. This webinar will discuss things you, as a business owner or leader, can do to shore up your people…
Find out more »Women Leaders of Octane Quarterly Meeting – October 2022
RSVP Here Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, October 19th from 12 - 1 pm PST, featuring Spotlight Thought Leader, Caren Mason, President and Chief Executive Officer at STARR Surgical. 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…
Find out more »WLO Workshop: Women on Corporate Boards
Join us at for a Women Leaders of Octane interactive workshop part of Octane's Medical Innovation Forum taking place October 27-28 at the Irvine Marriott! You must be registered for the forum to attend this free workshop. Register first for Octane's Medical Innovation Forum here. Once registered for the Forum, to attend the Women On Boards Workshop you can sign up here>> Women on Corporate Boards: What it’s Like, How to Prepare & How To Do It Thursday, October 27…
Find out more »November 2022
Webinar: Thinking of Opening a US Branch Office? US Work Visa Options
Setting up a business in the USA can be quite exciting. But there are also many challenges. In-depth market research and planning can minimize the risks. Join Mitch Wexler, Managing Partner, Fragomen as he discusses US Work Visa Options. This will go over the more common visa options that you should consider, their timelines, eligibility requirements, challenges and the application process for each. Register Here>>
Find out more »January 2023
Women Leaders of Octane Quarterly Meeting – January 2023
RSVP Here Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, January 18th from 12 - 1 pm PST, featuring Spotlight Thought Leader, Anastasia Williams, The A List. 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 &…
Find out more »Open House/New Year Social
Hosted in Octane's new office space! 4041 MacArthur Blvd, 1st Floor Atrium, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Co-hosted by Sustain Socal and Lincoln Property Company Register here: https://register.octaneoc.org/social2023
Find out more »FoundHERS Preview Program
FoundHERS is a new training program to serve Women-led start-ups led by Women Leaders of Octane a leading advocacy organization that provides Women Founders with access to capital, networking, and influence on Boards. Octane hosts one of the top business accelerators in the nation. Through our cohort approach, you will meet subject matter experts, develop a winning pitch deck, and hone investor presentation skills. This is a no-cost program. We are hosting a zoom event on Thursday, January 19th from 8:30 AM -…
Find out more »Next Wave Founder’s Circle January Program
Join Octane and our Next Wave Founder’s Circle for a program featuring Asante Cleveland, podcast host and former pro-football player on January 19th 5-6:30pm at LCAD Gallery. During this session, Asante will talk about his background, upbringing and how it shaped him to where he is today. He will also discuss the importance of arts, culture and diversity as it relates to sport and growth on and off the field. The program will be interactive, where we will encourage you to ask questions as…
Find out more »Aesthetics Technology Forum 2023
The 2nd Annual Aesthetics Technology Forum will be held at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. This event will bring together leading physicians, industry, and entrepreneurs to discuss groundbreaking medical aesthetic technologies as well as unmet clinical needs and new business opportunities. Join leaders in the aesthetics field to examine how they fuel innovation in the medical aesthetic industry in Southern California. Learn more here.
Find out more »February 2023
Octane Webinar: Employment Law Update 2023
It is time for Octane's annual Employment Law Update. The laws on COVID in the workplace have been loosened, but the Legislature and local governments continue to enact new laws that impact most employers in other areas. One major development is a new California law requiring most employers to publish pay scales for every job posting and to file annual reports of pay data broken down by sex and ethnicity. This law goes hand in hand with other amendments that…
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