Workshop Descriptions and Schedule

Designed for 5–12th grade learners, this session explores the science of blood typing through a hands-on lab experience. Learners will use simulated blood samples to determine blood types, apply simple testing techniques, and uncover how blood types connect to genetics and medicine. By participating in this activity, students will experience what it’s like to work in a real laboratory environment.

This session will be offered four times.

Designed for 5–12th grade learners, this session explores how seasonal temperature changes impact bee lifecycles and pollination. Learners will investigate the physiological and behavioral adaptations that help bees survive heat and relate these concepts to principles in physics and materials science, such as thermal mass, surface-to-volume ratios, and insulation. Using infrared cameras, students will examine heat production and retention in bees and humans, and experiment with heating marshmallows to see how volume affects warming and cooling.

This session will be offered five times.

Designed for 5–12th grade learners, this session immerses students in the fast-paced world of hospital operations through an interactive role-playing simulation. Learners take on roles as patients, doctors, and hospital staff as they experience how bottlenecks form and how workflow challenges impact patient care. After navigating this hectic hospital environment, students will analyze what went wrong and brainstorm solutions to improve efficiency. This hands-on activity blends real-world industrial engineering concepts with engaging, collaborative problem-solving.

This session will be offered four times.

Designed for 5–12th grade learners, this session introduces students to the field of pharmacy through a hands-on lip balm–making activity. Learners will measure, melt, and blend ingredients to create a custom product while discovering how pharmacists apply chemistry, problem-solving, and patient care in their work. Along the way, students will explore what pharmacy school is like and learn about a variety of science-based careers in hospitals, labs, and community settings.

This session will be offered five times.

Designed for 5-12th grade learners, this interactive workshop will teach students about slime in Physics and what type of materials make up slime. Each student will receive the recipe for making their slime. We will monitor how the students make their slime to ensure a quality experience and make it fun.

Designed for 5-12th grade learners, this workshop will focus on the science of emotion including naming and identifying emotions, exploring thoughts, physical sensations, and actions of emotions, and ways emotions can be influenced by external and internal factors (e.g., family, friends, school). Presenters will do a brief overview of the Theory of Emotion and facilitate experiential activities to explore emotions and practice naming and identifying emotions.

Did you know that plants can get sick just like you can? Join our interactive workshop to learn more about plant diseases and how important these can be to things like the food you eat. In this session, you will become a plant pathologist and infect a plant to take it home and watch how it becomes sick. You’ll also get to learn about other plant diseases and know how to spot a sick plant. Embark on the journey to becoming a plant doctor.

This isn't your typical science class – it's a journey into the minuscule. Explore an invisible world by observing different organisms and materials with your very own mini microscope. You’ll get to take your microscope home to continue the exploration anywhere, anytime. Whether it’s something from your backyard, a piece of yarn, or floss, the possibilities are endless. Dive into the microscopic universe like never before in our "Pocket-Sized Microscopes" session.

Join us as we swab our environment to see what kinds of crazy, colorful microbes are living where we least expect! Then, we'll look into the tiny window that is the world of microbiology through a microscope lens and see all the different shapes and sizes that exist!

Create your very own components just like you’d find on a real-life Bobcat! This workshop will explore machine electrical design, where you’ll be designing backup alarms, lights, and more.

Designed for 9-12th grade learners, this hands-on session, students will be introduced to the core ideas behind network science: the study of how connections shape systems ranging from social media to transportation and public health.

Students will begin with an interactive slide presentation that introduces key concepts and vocabulary such as nodes, edges, networks, and centrality, with opportunities to respond, predict outcomes, and discuss real-world examples. Visual models will help students compare different types of networks, including random networks and scale-free networks, and explore how structure influences behavior. Learners will then create their own network diagrams using graphing paper and pen, translating abstract ideas into visual representations. To extend this work, students will use easy-to-deploy software tools to generate, visualize, and analyze social networks digitally.

To wrap up, students will apply what they’ve learned by identifying a real-world problem in their community that could be better understood or addressed using network science.

This hands-on activity introduces middle and high school students to the science of epidemiology through a simple and engaging dice game. Participants will act as “epidemiologists” investigating how diseases spread and how prevention measures can stop an outbreak. Using dice and colored stickers, students simulate how random exposure can lead to infection and how actions such as vaccination or hygiene reduce the risk. In small groups, students complete two rounds of play - first without prevention and then with it - and record their observations. Together, the class compares results to see how prevention changes the outcome. The activity highlights core public health ideas: exposure, outcome, risk, and prevention. By the end of the session, students will understand how scientists use data and probability to protect communities from disease and why prevention is one of the most powerful tools in health.

Designed for 9-12th grade learners, this workshop will introduce the basics of plumbing systems, including how they are designed and represented. Students will learn how to read 2D plumbing system drawings and interpret how those drawings translate into real-world systems.

Using a provided 2D drawing, students will then work hands-on to visualize the system in 3D and build a simple plumbing model using pipes and fittings. This activity mirrors an exercise used in an entry-level college course, giving students an authentic look at how plumbing systems are designed and constructed.

Designed for 9-12th grade learners, this workshop focuses on polymer coatings, aiming to instill appreciation for these materials among high school students, particularly in their role of protecting metals from harsh environmental conditions. Students will gain insights into the fabrication of various coating materials, along with an understanding of their chemical and physical properties. A key segment of the workshop will be dedicated to understanding the influence of these properties on corrosion prevention. In addition, the workshop will address the broader significance of paints and coatings. Through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, we will elucidate the role of these materials as vital protective barriers, enhancing students’ understanding of how they contribute to the durability and longevity of metallic structures.

Did you know that what’s true for you is also true for strawberries? Every living thing is built from tiny, invisible blueprints called DNA, which hold the instructions for life. In this interactive workshop, you will become a scientist and extract DNA from strawberries using simple household ingredients. See the building blocks of life up close and learn how DNA connects us all. Get ready to explore the amazing science behind what makes living things tick!

We will introduce the workshop participants to the basics of circuits and how to build them. We will use a projector to show a brief presentation about basic circuit terminology and circuit types. We will then divide the participants into groups and different workshop leaders will lead each group in designing a basic circuit using a circuit breadboard, wires, battery power source, LED, and a resistor. Each participant will be given a handout packet which details circuit fundamentals, the basic circuit building instructions, and three additional circuit project ideas. Participants will also be given their own basic circuit building set which will include a circuit breadboard, wires, resistors, LEDs, capacitors, and a battery power source. The participants will be able to take home their instruction packet and circuit building kit. Extra time in the workshop can be used by participants to work on any of the optional three circuit projects

This workshop is a hands-on interactive workshop that will show-case the world of supply chain management. During this workshop, you won't just learn about supply chains, but you will be the supply chain. We will use the "Candy Game", a simulation game which will set you up with teams of friends to navigate the lows and highs of how companies get their products to their customers. You will experience the chaos and excitement from managing an example of a supply chain, facing challenges like unpredictable customer demand, breakdowns in communication and lack of supplies. The learning goals and objectives will be: Learn the fundamentals of supply chain management through a fun, game-based approach. Experience the importance of teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. Understand how supply chains impact everyday life and global industries. Gain insights into the roles and careers within supply chain management.