On Wednesday, March 19th, Wilkes County Schools, in partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway, hosted the annual STEAM Expo at North Wilkesboro Speedway—an event designed to inspire the next generation through hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
This year’s Expo welcomed over 1,000 students from Wilkes County’s four middle schools. More than 43 local and regional exhibitors—nearly doubling last year’s total—offered interactive booths that connected real-world industry applications to STEAM concepts. Students engaged in activities highlighting robotics, mechanical engineering, 3D design, aerodynamics, physics, and more—all while getting a close-up look at how STEAM drives innovation across industries.
Wilkes EDC was proud to assist in marketing this event to Wilkes County industries, helping connect schools with businesses interested in participating as exhibitors. This collaboration ensured students experienced a wide range of career pathways and technologies right here in Wilkes.
As the STEAM Expo continues to grow, so does the need for sustainable support. With initial funding no longer available, Wilkes County Schools is actively exploring creative solutions and pursuing grants to help keep this experience free and impactful for students. Community and industry involvement will play a key role in making that possible. If you or your organization are interested in supporting future STEAM Expo events, we encourage you to contact Mr. David Johnson to learn how you can help keep this opportunity thriving for Wilkes County students.
Thank you to Mr. David Johnson (Director of Career and Technical Education), Emily Styers (Career Development Coordinator), Melissa Stirewalt, and Babette Huitt (STEAM Program Directors at Charlotte Motor Speedway) for organizing another incredible event focused on future-ready learning. View more from the event by visiting: Middle School STEAM Expo | Wilkes County Schools
