Kids will have a chance to operate robots and run a blender by pedaling a bicycle during an upcoming event dedicated to science, technology and art.

The event is called the STEAMfest. The STEAM portion of the name is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.

The STEAMfest will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Career Education Building at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Admission is free.

“This would be a great event to bring a family to,” said Mauree Haage, north central Iowa STEM region manager.

She said the event is designed to get kids interested in science and technology and at the same time introduce them to the kinds of jobs in those fields they could some day work in.

Many Iowa communities have programs featuring STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In Fort Dodge, event organizers have added art to the mix because the kind of thinking and creativity used by artists is also key to technological innovation.

Haage said 16 exhibitors will be at the event.

The Robotics Team from Fort Dodge Senior High School will be one of those exhibitors. Haage said team members will show visitors how to operate the robots.

What Haage called the “blender bike” will be another exhibit. Kids will pedal the bike to power a kitchen blender and make smoothies.

Representatives of Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines wil be at the STEAMfest to teach visitors about pollinators.

Other exhibitors will include Iowa State University, Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Fort Museum and Frontier Village, the Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and the Blanden Memorial Art museum.

STEAMfest is sponsored by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, Iowa Central Community College, the city of Fort Dodge and the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

If You Go

What: STEAMfest

When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8

Where: Career Education Building, Iowa Central Community College