Octavia E. Butler’s Legacy Lives On with Annual Science Fiction Festival at Namesake Pasadena School

A Pasadena Unified middle school named after Octavia E. Butler followed in her footsteps by transporting visitors to a “world that makes more sense than this one” at the annual science fiction fair last week.

The Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet Library Science Fiction Festival included telescopes, astrophysicists, time machines, fantasy fiction, flower pounding, robotics, sculptures, artwork, essays, book giveaways and all things sci-fi.

Organizers say the event was a celebration of science fiction and a way to honor the school’s namesake, the renowned author who started writing science fiction when she was a student at the school, then known as Washington Junior High.

“We are trying to expose our kids to the ways that fiction and art and creativity go hand in hand with science. Speculative science spurs on real science, real science inspires writers to create stories that we all enjoy,” said organizer/OEB Librarian Natalie Daily. “I’m so impressed with our students’ work this year. We have several students doing graphic fiction which takes a lot of talent because it’s visually telling the story and using words.”

All students were asked to create a piece of science fiction (a story, poem, or work of art) but not required to enter it in the competition. Kids could also complete three missions at the event to win a swag bag and pick out a free book.

“I think this science fiction festival is amazing! I love science fiction. I love Octavia Butler. I love her work. I just love this whole idea and how it’s executed,” 7th grader Brooklyn Roffman exclaimed.

The Octavia E. Butler Library Science Fiction Festival is an annual event, open to the entire community, and made possible with the help of sponsors and educational partners such as: Young & Healthy, Access Books, Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena Educational Foundation, Day One, Octavia’s Bookshelf and several others