Event

Back to School Bash

Saturday, August 16, 2025
10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Get excited about the new school year at the IMAS!

Take part in hands-on art and science activities and Starlab Planetarium presentations. This free admission event includes food vendors, community tables, and opportunities to receive school supplies while items last.

Know before you go:
– No backpacks/large bags over 12″x 6″ x 12″
– No wagons

Back to School Bash at IMAS
Back to School Bash at IMAS
Back to School Bash
starlab planetarium

Supported by:
McAllen Public Utility, H-E-B Helping Here, and Wonderful Citrus

Activities

Discovery Pavilion

EXHBITS

Insecta: Small Wonders of the World Exhibit

Water Journey

  • Partner Tables

Ann Moore Art Studio

  • Insect Stamping: Pencil Pouch Activity
    Create your own insect-themed pencil pouch using stamps! Insect Stamps: Bee, Beetle, Dragonfly, Insect Specimen, Layered Dragonfly, Mayfly

Industrial Lab

  • Fill-in Fun Patches – Customize your own fabric patch with fun designs!

Science On a Sphere (SOS) Theater

  • H-E-B “Our Texas, Our Future” Film Screening

McAllen Public Utility BioZone

  • Water Cycle Shrinky Dink Key Chains

    Learn about the water cycle and create your own shrinky dink keychain!

Fine Art Galleries

EXHBITS

Destino Sur

Visions of the West: Highlights from the Lewis Collection

El Estudio / The Studio

  • Story Time with Patty Raymond
    “There Was a Tenacious Teacher Who Scarfed Down a Sticker”
    Time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Valley Symphony Orchestra (VSO) Performances
    Times: 11:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.

Community Partners

  • Dave’s Hot Chicken
  • HEB
  • IDEA North Mission
  • IDEA Toros College Prep
  • Jersey Mike’s
  • Keep McAllen Beautiful
  • Dave’s Hot Chicken
  • HEB
  • IDEA North Mission
  • IDEA Toros College Prep
  • Jersey Mike’s
  • Keep McAllen Beautiful
  • Luna Dental
  • McAllen Public Library
  • McAllen Recycling Center
  • MPU (McAllen Public Utility)
  • Dave’s Hot Chicken
  • HEB
  • IDEA North Mission
  • IDEA Toros College Prep
  • Jersey Mike’s
  • Keep McAllen Beautiful
  • PSJA ISD
  • Raising Cane’s
  • SAMS Club
  • Sanchez Law Firm
  • School of Rock, McAllen South
  • Valley Keyboards
  • Valley Symphony Orchestra
  • Wonderful Citrus
  • Luna Dental
  • McAllen Public Library
  • McAllen Recycling Center
  • MPU (McAllen Public Utility)
  • PSJA ISD
  • Raising Cane’s
  • SAMS Club
  • Sanchez Law Firm
  • School of Rock, McAllen South
  • Valley Keyboards
  • Valley Symphony Orchestra
  • Wonderful Citrus

Community Vendors

  • PaperPie
  • Patty Raymond, Children’s Book Author
  • Dave’s Hot Chicken
  • HEB
  • IDEA North Mission
  • IDEA Toros College Prep
  • Jersey Mike’s
  • Keep McAllen Beautiful
  • Luna Dental
  • McAllen Public Library
  • McAllen Recycling Center
  • MPU (McAllen Public Utility)
  • Dave’s Hot Chicken
  • HEB
  • IDEA North Mission
  • IDEA Toros College Prep
  • Jersey Mike’s
  • Keep McAllen Beautiful
  • PSJA ISD
  • Raising Cane’s
  • SAMS Club
  • Sanchez Law Firm
  • School of Rock, McAllen South
  • Valley Keyboards
  • Valley Symphony Orchestra
  • Wonderful Citrus

Food Vendors

  • Astro Snacks
  • B’s in A Pod
  • Mobile S-NACK

    Sweets by Georgette