Inspiring Conversations with Dominic O’Neil of Southern California Stem Carnival

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominic O’Neil.

Hi Dominic, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been interested in engineering and complex machines. As a child, I would try to replicate these machines with any building toys I had on hand. As I grew up, I was introduced to history via air museums by my grandfather. As time went on, my curiosity flourished and deepened, as my high school physics teacher used to say “we must educate young people, not lecture them”. This stuck with me throughout my college experience, and encouraged me to convert my positive experiences in history and science into engagement in more than just 1 classroom. Throughout 2024, I worked to convert my lessons into a full program, SoCal Stem Carnival.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were bumps for sure. Many teachers find classroom environments a bit different from what we are taught in school, so you have to balance the 9-5 with the educational requirements.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I created SoCal Stem Carnival out of my love for engineering and science. I specifically designed each lab to facilitate the learning/teaching of science technology engineering and math concepts in a fun and engaging manner. Each lab is 3 one hour sessions that accommodate around 25 students each. Each lab option coincides with a selection of science standards for grades 1-5. (servicing the Inland Empire area)

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Word of mouth and good reviews are vital to any small business. Having parents reach out to their students’ schools and requesting our labs is helpful. Teachers can always inquire and schedule our services, and principles can network and share news on how we have done. The goal is to supplement classroom learning and encourage a lifelong interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.socalstemcarnival.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socalstemcarnival

Image Credits
Terra Vista Elementary, Mr. O’Neil, So Cal Stem Carnival