Get ready for a 'STEAMsational' event Saturday at the Niagara Power Vista

Know a youngster interested in science and technology? Make a visit to the New York Power Authority’s free “STEAM Ahead Career Fair” Saturday, May 7, and learn about robots, space, glowing rocks, buried artifacts, the skilled trades, computer programming and more – all at the Niagara Power Vista.

The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will give youngsters a glimpse of careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) through fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations and presentations. WNY STEM co-sponsors the event with the New York Power Authority.

NYPA’s sustainability, women in power and diversity and inclusion teams will host a prize wheel and interactive activities on simple circuits, electricity and home energy efficiency. Take an environmental pledge for a chance to win a science prize. Random drawings throughout the event.

Other stations include:

A Glimpse of the Stars. Have a stellar experience that brings space to life. The Lockport Challenger Learning Center brings its mobile planetarium for presentations and hands-on activities on a variety of astronomy and science topics. The planetarium makes celestial bodies appear and move realistically to simulate the complex motions of the heavens.

Music. Join environmental artist Julie Corbalis as she sings and presents on creative recycling projects.

Drones. WNY STEM provides information on its drone program with demonstrations and presentations.

Veins and Brains. See a surgical film and learn about the brain, vascular disease and 3-D printing with The Jacobs Institute.

Glowing Rocks Touch Station. Geologist Dino Zack will discuss fluorescent rock and mineral specimens from New York state, as well as world-known locations. The hands-on interactive activity will feature a display demonstrating many types of luminescence.

Digging for Artifacts. Learn what it takes to be an archeologist and look for artifacts in a demonstrative dig with Dr. Douglas J. Perrelli, director, archaeological survey, University at Buffalo.

About the Trades. The construction field is a rapidly growing field. Build a Home Depot project with NYPA employees and members of the IBEW Local 2104.

Robotics. Throughout the day, the Newfane Circuit Stompers, a high school robotics team, will demonstrate the team robot they built in six weeks and entered in competition.

Plant a seed. Join the Cayuga Island Garden Club in planting a seed in your own take-home pot while learning about indigenous plants and flowers.

Additional exhibitors include NYS Parks Interpretive Center, Girl Scouts of Western New York and the Aquarium of Niagara. Participants can enjoy face painting and art projects with the University Heights Arts Association.

Park free at the Vista and hop aboard the Niagara Scenic Trolley for free rides between the Power Vista and Prospect Pointe inside the New York state park in downtown Niagara Falls.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore the Niagara Power Vista – a hands-on science playground for inquisitive minds of all ages with more than 50 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, many focusing on STEAM.

The Niagara Power Vista is a free, hands-on science playground at the Niagara Power Project with more than 50 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. Operated by NYPA, the visitor center is designed for inquisitive minds of all ages with special emphasis on STEAM concepts and careers. Visitors can experience a virtual rollercoaster, build a dam, operate a power plant, run the state grid, watch digital portraits of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison debate the benefits of alternating and direct current, and enjoy 350-foot-high views from an observation deck above the Niagara River. The Power Vista is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding some holidays, with free parking. It is located at 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) in Lewiston. For more information, call 716-286-6661 or visit www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm.