About Us
Empowering the Next Generation of STEM Leaders
OUR MISSION IS TO SPARK AN INTEREST IN STEM FOR ALL YOUTH IN SAN JOSE, INSPIRE THEM TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION, AND HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM THROUGH CONTINUAL ENGAGEMENT.
Science Extravaganza
Science Extravaganza (SE) is organized and executed by SJSU students with the support of STEM professionals.
SE is made possible with great help from the Bay Area Professional Chapter of the Latinos in Science & Engineering (MAES). SE is the biggest student led event at San Jose State University and SE 2027 will be the 28th Edition!
What Do We Do?
Science Extravaganza is divided into two main parts, in two semesters.
During the Fall Semester, we outreach middle schools around San Jose. We work with the schools to set up a time for us to come to the school and host an overview of SE and host a STEM-Based fun workshop for the students. This helps spark their interest in STEM and makes it fun for them while also learning the different careers in STEM.
During the Spring Semester, the second weekend of February, we bring 350+ middle schoolers from schools we attended on the Fall to SJSU. Throughout the day, we have our industry partners host STEM-based workshops, usually related to the field their company specializes on, and the students rotate throughout the different workshops. We have our SE Volunteers support us with logistics and support the workshops our industry partners host. Overall, is a day full of fun for everyone! The kids get to see themselves as future STEM students, and our industry partners learn a lot from our kids ideas and thoughts.
Meet Our Team
This is our Executive Board, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders through engaging workshops and mentorship. They volunteer their time to make this event a success!
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Leia Ragsdale
Co-Chair
She/Her/Ella
B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Minor in Physics
Hello everyone, I’m Leia and I’m a 4th year Aerospace Engineering major minoring in Physics. I’ve been a part of Science Extravaganza for about 3 years now and this year is my first time being Co-Chair! Growing up in Bakersfield, I wasn’t surrounded with STEM exposure until my senior year in High School. Knowing of all the opportunities and careers there are now that I’m pursuing STEM, I’ve become incredibly passionate about making sure other underrepresented and low income schools are made aware and that their students know that they can be ambitious and they can do anything they put their mind to. Other than SE, I love to read and do art. This year will be a blast and I’m excited to work alongside such amazing people.
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Sarah Hoang
Treasurer
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Computer Science
Hello everyone! I’m Sarah and a 4th year studying computer science and minoring in interaction design. When I’m not working or studying, I love photography, crocheting/knitting, listening to music, and model kit building. I enjoy the outdoors and taking photos, specifically when hiking on forest trails and beaches. To destress, I crochet or build model kits while listening to music, podcasts, or watching shows. This is my first year joining the Science Extravaganza and excited to work with this team and you all!
Maria (Linh) Truong
Secretary
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Engineering Technology
Hi everyone, I’m Maria! I am a 4th year computer network system management student. I really like to eat and cook. My favorite hobby is watching eating videos at 11 pm so I can be motivated to sleep and wake up and eat :). Beside that, I also really like learning on Youtube and Github for programming or new languages. I look forward to serving SE this year along with my amazing board members!
Samantha Figueroa
MAES Liason
She/Her/Ella
B.S. Computer Engineering
M.S. Artificial Intelligence
My name is Samantha-Nicole Figueroa (Sam). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, and I’m now working towards my Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence. I was born and raised in San Jose, California, and I’m a proud first-generation daughter/student from immigrant parents from Jalisco, Mexico. I’m also very proud of my involvement in amazing organizations and conferences. 🌟 Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to connect. 🤝
Anthony Altamirano
Co-Chair
He/Him/Él
B.S. Electrical Engineering
Minor in Business
What’s good everybody! My name is Anthony and I’m a 4th year student studying Electrical Engineering with a minor in Business. I’ve been a part of Science Extravaganza for the past year, first as a volunteer and now as a Co-Chair. I’ve worked in the past as a track coach and a tutor for middle and elementary schools so I know firsthand how impactful it is to be able to provide these opportunities to students early on. Outside of school and work I really enjoy being outdoors, I also enjoy offroading, I’m trying to learn how to wheelie my dirtbike so we’ll see how that goes 😅 I’m really excited to be a part of this year's board and to support the team! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or just want to connect!
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Andrea Cortez
Media Manager
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Electrical Engineering
Hey hey everyone! My name is Andrea, but please call me Andie! I’m a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student, and I’m excited to serve as one of your Media Managers for SE this year! I’ve volunteered with Science Extravaganza for the past two years, first as a regular volunteer during my freshman year and then as a Team Captain during my sophomore year. Outside of school, I love listening to music, playing the bass, going to concerts, and playing cozy video games. I’m super excited to take on a bigger role in SE this year, work with everyone, and help make this year’s event a great experience!
Karina Wong
Media Manager
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Biomedical Engineering
Hi all! My name is Karina, and I am a 3rd-year Biomedical Engineering student. I have volunteered at SE, and this is my first time serving as a board member! I like to explore and play a lot of games with friends, which includes Roblox and Minecraft. My favorite fandoms are Marvel, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and some anime. I’m excited to be a part of SE this year. I hope that we can all have fun together this year!
Arushi Nirmal
School Outreach Assistant
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Computer Science
Hi everyone, I’m Arushi! I am a 4th year computer science student. I really like to try new things and explore different places. My favorite hobby is learning new things completely distinct from each other. I also love learning stuff about AI-ML and the fintech industry.I look forward to serving SE this year along with learning new things and meeting new people!
Kat Biscocho
School Outreach Assistant
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Industrial & Systems Engineering
Hi everyone! My name is Kat and I’m a 2nd year Industrial & Systems Engineering student. I love staying at home and watching tv shows, but I also like going out to visit new places, hanging out with friends, going to concerts and more! I am excited to serve SE this year and hope to contribute to a fun and memorable experience for everyone!