Imagine a student having the chance to test an idea with an engineer, learn how a scientist approaches a problem, or get feedback from someone who works with technology every day.
That is the kind of connection PEF’s SciTech Initiative is working to create.
At our latest SciTech Roundtable in August, Pasadena Unified educators joined leaders from science, technology, higher education, city, and the community to move from shared priorities to action.
Earlier roundtables identified several areas of focus: connecting students with professionals and real-world experiences, linking STEM learning to careers, focusing on middle school, using competitions to spark interest, and expanding skilled trades opportunities.
This time, the group centered on one immediate opportunity: the PUSD Innovation Exposition.
The Innovation Expo is PUSD’s annual alternative to the traditional science fair and is open to students in grades 4 through 8. Students can develop projects in Scientific Inquiry, Reverse Engineering, Environmental Innovation, 3D Printing, Invention, and Science Fiction, with selected projects advancing to the districtwide showcase on December 4.
A Role for Community Partners
PEF and PUSD are exploring ways for scientists, engineers, educators, and other professionals to support students and teachers throughout the process, not only at the final Expo.
The partner pathway is simple:
Inspire: Spark student and teacher interest.
Guide: Share expertise as projects take shape.
Engage: Bring expertise and resources to the Expo itself.
PEF and PUSD are now beginning to match middle school science teachers with community scientists, engineers, and other professionals based on where their expertise can best support classroom projects this fall.
The Innovation Expo is one part of a broader effort that includes a Carnegie Science pilot in PEF’s 2026 Summer Program, sending students to last year’s BioScienceLA Week at Pasadena City College, working with community partners to develop a Future Pathways Expo focused on skilled trades, and creating more opportunities for students to explore cybersecurity, outdoor education, technology, and construction pathways.
Taken together, these efforts are about creating more ways for students to connect what they are learning with the people, places, and possibilities around them.
At its core, the idea is this: Pasadena already has extraordinary expertise across science, technology, engineering, design, and related fields. PUSD already has curious students and committed teachers.
Our work is to bring them closer together.
Because sometimes the thing that changes a student’s sense of what is possible is not another lesson.
It is meeting someone who can say, “I do this work. And you can, too.”
SciTech Initiative Partners
PEF’s SciTech Initiative brings together educators, scientists, engineers, higher education leaders, employers, and community organizations working to expand opportunities for PUSD students.
Recent participating partners include: ArtCenter College of Design, August Management, Caltech, Carnegie Science, Carterus Strategies, City of Pasadena, Foothill Workforce Development Board, Honeybee Robotics, Innovate Pasadena, Kaiser Permanente, THG Creative, TUSI Dynamics, Tyton LLC, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, and Xencor.
