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Engineering Discovery Days

At Engineering Discovery Days, students and faculty share their work with students, teachers, families and the community. We hope you will join us for hands-on fun and learning.

The two-day event is oriented toward 4th through 8th grade students. Both days are free and open to everyone, but registration is required. Note that reservations fill very quickly.

For information and registration, see Engineering Discovery Days on the College of Engineering website.

Last time, MSE students and researchers hosted several popular events:

  • Captain Materials! - Learn about materials that will one day make us all superheroes!
  • Composites - Compare the strength of composites with other materials.
  • Functional Materials - Functional materials are engineered to perform specific tasks such as converting mechanical energy to electrical. Learn more about this group of special materials.
  • Hot and Cold - See the effects of very hot and cold temperatures on materials like space shuttle tiles, racquetballs and marshmallows.
  • Materials of Food - Chocolate demonstrates up to 10 different materials fundamentals. That’s right, chocolate is a material!
  • Materials of Music - Learn about the advanced composite, metallic, natural and synthetic materials used in modern musical instruments including the piano, violin, cello, acoustic guitar and electric guitar.
  • Microscopy in Materials Science - Microscopes are a common tool in biology, chemistry, physics and other sciences. Learn how they work and the ways materials engineers use them.
  • Nanomaterials for Medicine - See how nanoparticles are made and learn how they are used to treat diseases!
  • Racing with the Sun - Join the Clean Energy Institute to see model solar cars, solar cells and a racetrack. Meet scientists discovering new materials for solar cells and batteries.