The Quantum Realm: Time, Teleportation & Entanglement
From July 26 through August 1, 2026, STEAM Scholars from across Central New York came together in Rome, NY for the 8th Annual Project Fibonacci STEAM Leadership Conference—a week built around curiosity, connection, collaboration and exploring the possibilities of the future.
This year’s theme, The Quantum Realm: Time, Teleportation & Entanglement, challenged scholars to venture beyond the familiar and explore a world where science, technology, creativity and human connection collide.
But Project Fibonacci has never been about sitting in a classroom for a week.
Scholars worked alongside scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, artists and industry professionals; tackled hands-on challenges; explored emerging careers; visited organizations throughout the Mohawk Valley; built new friendships; and worked in interdisciplinary teams to imagine what the future might look like—and their place in creating it.
One Week. A Lot of STEAM.
The 2026 conference featured an incredible range of experiences.
Scholars heard from Dr. Erin Macdonald, astrophysicist, award-winning science communicator and official science advisor for the Star Trek franchise, as well as Sára Nožková, CEO and co-founder of Flox Intelligence.
Hands-on workshops took STEAM far beyond textbooks. Scholars explored quantum computing and quantum mechanics, precision medicine, leadership and rhythm, forensic science, wildlife and conservation, art, research and critical thinking. Some scholars even spent three days progressing through the process of building their own Steampunk Quantum Engine.
And learning didn’t stop at the classroom door.
Scholars traveled throughout the Mohawk Valley for experiences at Innovare Advancement Center, including SKYDOME, the New York UAS Test Site and quantum research environments; Masonic Medical Research Institute, where they explored biomedical research; and 4 Elements Studio, where art, design and experimentation came together through a hands-on ceramics experience.
More Than a Conference
The Project Fibonacci experience is intentionally designed to be about more than what scholars learn.
Throughout the week, students from different schools, communities and backgrounds were placed on teams and challenged to collaborate, communicate, question assumptions and hear perspectives different from their own.
They researched. They debated. They built. They presented. They made mistakes and tried again.
And somewhere between workshops, project development, s’mores, a Time Travel Candy Lab, swimming, a DJ dance party and a Back to the Future Skate Night, strangers became teammates—and teammates became friends.
That impact showed in our final scholar surveys, where 100% of respondents rated their overall conference experience a 4 or 5 out of 5. Scholars repeatedly identified the friendships, community, new experiences and opportunities to explore their futures among the most meaningful parts of the week.
Welcome to 2046
The week culminated with scholars taking one final trip through time.
For the “High School Reunion — Year 2046,” teams presented their research, innovations and visions of the future to family, friends and conference guests. Scholars were challenged not only to imagine what the world might look like 20 years from now, but to envision themselves as part of it.
It was a fitting conclusion to a week centered on one of Project Fibonacci’s core beliefs:
The future isn’t something young people should simply wait for. They should be prepared to help create it.
It Takes a Community
An experience of this scale is only possible because an entire community chooses to invest in young people.
We extend our sincere thanks to our major conference sponsors, including NYSTEC, The Griffin Foundation, Shoreline Group, ANDRO Computational Solutions and Nascentia, as well as the many businesses, organizations, scholarship sponsors, presenters, facilitators and volunteers who contributed their time, expertise, resources and support.
The conference also represents an investment in the Mohawk Valley itself. Whenever possible, Project Fibonacci utilizes local venues, lodging, restaurants and food providers, transportation, entertainment, businesses and professional services, while introducing scholars to the remarkable educational, career and innovation opportunities available right here in our region.
Most importantly, thank you to our 2026 STEAM Scholars.
You asked questions. You challenged ideas. You stepped outside your comfort zones. You supported one another. And you reminded all of us exactly why we do this.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The journey continues in Summer 2027 with the 9th Annual Project Fibonacci STEAM Leadership Conference.
WHO CONTROLS THE FUTURE?
Humanity, Technology & the Decisions That Will Define the Sociotechnological Us
As artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, automation and digital systems increasingly shape human life, our next group of scholars will face a new challenge:
The question is no longer simply what technology can do.
What should it do—and who gets to decide?
Early-bird opportunities for returning scholars and nominations for new scholars are expected to open in Fall 2026.
See you in the future.
