STEAM Fair to debut next month at Palatine library

Some heady fun is planned early next month when the Palatine Public Library District hosts its inaugural STEAM Fair.

Discovery, problem solving and critical thinking will be part of the free event from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 3. STEAM is short for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

At least 20 businesses are expected to be part of the fair at the main library, 700 N. North Court in Palatine, officials said. Among the expected highlights will be a drone race through a miniature obstacle course, an opportunity to get close to an owl, virtual reality headsets, cardboard games and Harper College's mobile classroom.

In addition to business, Palatine Township Elementary District 15, Crabtree Nature Center, Harper's chemistry club, the Hoffman Estates Park District, Palatine Fire Department and Palatine High School's robotics club have committed to the STEAM Fair.

Participants will collect a map when they arrive at the library for the fair. They'll get to collect stamps for the map and receive a goody bag.

For more information, call (847) 358-5881, ext. 132. The library district serves about 90,000 residents mostly within Palatine and Hoffman Estates.