Meet us at the street fair

DOE's ETEC team will once again have a booth at the Simi Valley Street Fair on May 2.

March 13, 2026

Josh Mengers demonstrates a science activity

Noelle Saenz (left) participates in a science activity at DOE’s booth in May 2025. Also pictured is Josh Mengers, DOE’s federal project director at SSFL. DOE will be at the street fair again on May 2, 2026. Photo courtesy of Melissa Simon.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will be at the Simi Valley Street Fair on May 2 as part of the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) team’s continued efforts to engage with the community.

Visit us to learn about DOE’s work at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), learn about ETEC’s new Community Outreach, Neighbor Notifications, Engagement, Collaboration and Training (CONNECT) series, and interact with staff.

We’ll also have a fun DIY activity to create a spectroscope — a tool that separates white light into a rainbow of different colors based on wavelength — using everyday items, including a cardboard tube, cardstock paper, an old CD and tape. For a different type of spectroscope, there will be beads to make bracelets.

Read about spectroscopes and get directions to make your own instrument at home.

-Contributor: Melissa Simon