Educational Nonprofit – Jacksonville Science Festival
The Jacksonville Science Festival is a nonprofit educational organization that serves K-12 students through annual science festivals, summer camps, and after-school programming in Jacksonville. Its stated mission is to serve as a vehicle for educational equity and justice by providing STEAM experiences, covering science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, through strategic collaboration with teachers, experts in STEAM fields, mentors, local businesses, and universities and colleges.
The festival is presented and sponsored by The Foundation Academy and Florida State College at Jacksonville, known as FSCJ. As of 2025 the organization is in its 13th year of operation. The 2026 festival is scheduled for April 16 to 18, with events held at the FSCJ South Campus and Friendship Fountain in Jacksonville. The organization also hosts programming branded as The Science of and holds Think Tank events, alongside its annual summer camps.
Community members can participate through several pathways, including creating STEAM booths, joining the expert and mentor program, scheduling field trips, becoming vendors, sponsoring events, or volunteering. The organization’s 2025 to 2026 essential question is framed as what is the cost of comfort, guiding its themed activities for the year.
Current sponsors and partners include Code Ninjas, Jacksonville Electric Authority, Nymbus, and the Science Festival Alliance. The organization publishes an annual report documenting its activities and community impact, and it accepts donations through PayPal on its website.
The website features sections for workshops, volunteer opportunities, vendor registration, and donation capabilities, giving residents, educators, and businesses multiple ways to engage. The organization can be reached by phone at 904-493-3535. With its Jacksonville base, college and academy partnerships, and a mix of festivals, camps, and after-school offerings, the nonprofit positions itself as a community-focused STEAM education resource serving students and families across the Jacksonville area.