(L-R) Dr. Ellis Crasnow, Director, STEM³ Academy and STEM Education at The Help Group, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Help Group President & CEO, Dr. Jason Bolton, Vice President of Programs at The Help Group, Dr. Susan Berman, Help Group COO, Dianne Flannery, Senior Director of Design & Strategy at The Help Group

The Help Group’s STEM³ Academy, the first school in the nation to provide a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum to students with special needs, held its third annual Very Special Innovation Fair on September 23, 2018. The free event was a family-friendly celebration of talent, imagination, and discovery from young STEM enthusiasts, as well as some of the region’s innovative companies. The event drew in a big crowd with more than 700 people in attendance.

The Innovation Fair was hosted by STEM³ Academy, a pioneering school operated by The Help Group that serves K-12 students who are passionate about STEM topics and benefit from more individualized educational instruction due to social and learning differences. Campuses are located in Valley Glen and Culver City, California.

According to Dr. Susan Berman, COO of The Help Group, “We’re excited to continue the tradition of bringing the Very Special Innovation Fair to the community. By providing tools and programming tied to STEM for children and teens, The Help Group is playing a vital role in fostering creativity, curiosity, and a new generation of innovators.”

Inspired in part by the Maker Movement, the event featured over 30 interactive activities and companies, including: Microsoft; Northrop Grumman; Raytheon; DroneBase; California Science Center; California Highway Patrol; and many more. Attendees had the chance to learn more about rocketry, robotics, drones, 3D printing, virtual reality and more. There was also food, contests, and giveaways.

Dr. Ellis Crasnow, Director of STEM³ Academy and STEM Education at The Help Group says, “STEM concepts surround us in everyday life. Getting children excited about STEM can make a world of difference as they move through elementary school and into middle school, high school and college. Our goal at STEM³ Academy and with the Very Special Innovation Fair is to help nurture those natural talents early on.”