Quest Science Center offers hands-on fun with science-related activities that are relevant to daily life in the Tri-Valley region. While Quest has a roadmap for building a permanent home in the future, the pandemic motivated organizers to provide outdoor programs. It currently operates as a science center without walls, and hosts its own events within the area as well as participates in community events in Danville, Livermore, Tracy, and elsewhere. In 2023, more than 20,000 visitors were involved in Quest activities, a 75% increase over the previous year.

The nonprofit was formed in April 2018 with the mission of “connecting everyone to the science in our lives and all around us” because “science is everywhere and science is for everyone,” says CEO and Board Chair Monya Lane. “At Quest, we believe that people of all backgrounds should have a sense of belonging and excitement in the exploration of science and technology in today’s world. In that way, we are a connector in the Tri-Valley area to help make our communities stronger.”

Science@Stockmen’s Park in Livermore is a cornerstone of Quest’s efforts. These free, family-friendly outdoor events feature a unique theme for hands-on science activity stations, complemented by stage shows and music. Last year, Quest started a new program on planetary health for area high school students. The program was designed to mentor and empower youth from regional high schools, initially by inviting experts to help them learn about the environmental impacts of food chain waste, clothing reuse, green transportation, and more.

Last year the lead planning team for Quest’s Youth Climate Summit, held in September 2023, received an Innovation Tri-Valley Dreammakers and Risktakers Award. These high school student interns “galvanized an effort to promote regional climate change awareness and to explore solutions for collective action by producing the first annual Youth Climate Summit,” according to Innovation Tri-Valley officials. The event attracted more than 120 students from 10 area high schools. These students have continued to work on important community projects, including an urban heat mapping project in support of the City of Livermore’s Climate Action Plan.

The nonprofit is primarily a volunteer organization, with many board members, advisory board members, and volunteers coming from national lab retirees. Quest’s high school intern program is also key to the success of many events. These collective efforts underpin Quest’s signature program, the annual Tri-Valley Innovation Fair. Held each spring at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, the fair brings together businesses, community, and educational organizations to provide interactive activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Last year, over 2,800 people attended the fair and engaged with 68 exhibitors.

The next Tri-Valley Innovation Fair will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The fair allows attendees to “see possibilities for their future they might never have imagined, and be inspired by the opportunities that exist right here where we live,” according to Tri-Valley Innovation Fair Event Director Richard Peterson. He invites organizations and companies in the area to become sponsors of the event, “which continues to be a powerful platform for connecting innovation with purpose.”

For more information about Quest Science Center, please visit www.quest-science.org, www.facebook.com/QuestScienceCenter, www.instagram.com/questsciencecenter, or www.linkedin.com/company/questsciencecenter.

For more information on sponsoring the Tri-Valley Innovation Fair or being an exhibitor, please visit www.quest-science.org/innovation-fair or contact Richard Peterson at richard@uschmc.com.