Avenues of Scientific Discovery

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Workshops

Explore the workshops available for Spring of 2024

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!

Participants will use textile testing methods to discover the types of fibers commonly used in apparel. Raw fibers will be examined to find the sources of the fibers and how long they will last over time.

Through interactive activities, participants will witness firsthand the challenges posed by conflicting information and the subtle nuances of our cognitive processes. We'll venture into the Stroop Effect and other brain challenges, exploring puzzles and tasks that showcase the diverse functions of different brain lobes. From the frontal lobe's role in decision-making to the parietal lobe's involvement in spatial awareness, participants will gain insights into the unique contributions of each lobe to our daily cognitive functioning.

Learn various methods to quickly estimate percent of body fat and body fat-free mass (muscle & bone) plus learn how to hand-held finger test devices can guess how many fruits and vegetables you regularly consume.

Explore public health and find out how public health professionals work together to keep the community healthy. This workshop will include hands on activities that will bring students into the world of disease outbreak investigation. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the Health Services program and public health degrees offered at NDSU.

Imagine having your own pocket-sized microscope to unfold, explore, and take home—yes, it's as awesome as it sounds! Join us for an interactive adventure where you'll get hands-on with foldable microscopes, unleashing the scientist in you. From tiny critters to hidden wonders, discover the unseen world that surrounds us every day.

This workshop focuses on polymer coatings, aiming to instill appreciation for these materials, 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.

This interactive workshop will teach students about slime in physics and what type of materials it is. Each student will receive the recipe for making their slime. We will monitor how the kids make their slime to ensure better experiences and make it fun.

Learn the basic requirements about growing plants with water. Design and construct a simple hydroponic system that you can take back home with the materials and vegetable seeds provided.

This pharmacy exploration workshop is designed to help students discover exciting topics and career paths in pharmacy. Learn where pharmacists work such as hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, research facilities and more. Discover which pharmacy career best fits you. Receive tips and guidance on how to prepare for your education and career in pharmacy practice at NDSU. Participants will learn all about what it means to be a pharmacist while compounding a customized lotion to take home.

Delve into the basics of the fungal life cycle & evolutionary history. From fungi in our food and medicine, to the horrifying fate of a cordyceps-infected insect, this is fungi like you’ve never thought of it before. Take a quick but chilling journey into the deadliest fungi known and learn the surprising role fungi likely played in the Salem Witch Trials. Finally we talk about mushroom foraging, an age-old hobby still practiced today, how to do it safely, and show that it’s a really fun excuse to get out into the woods even on rainy days.

Our brains and our bodies are constantly communicating with each other to make sure we have all the resources and energy we need to do things like ride a bike, exercise at the gym, or run from a lion. In this workshop, learn about the technologies scientists use, including virtual reality, to find out more about how people’s minds and bodies respond to stress. 

It is essential to recognize that agriculture is a crucial aspect of our lives, and as technology advances, we need to integrate more of these tools into our farming practices. Explore how precision agriculture aims to implement accessible technologies that can benefit everyone. The use of programming languages, 3D printers, microcontrollers like Arduino, and creating mobile applications are skills that young people can learn and practice from home.

Embark on a journey into the realm of medical detective work! In this workshop, participants will delve into a cross-disciplinary exploration of disease causes and cures. This workshop provides an interactive case study that unravels the complexity of disease and the interconnected nature of healthcare,

Delve into the common hand injuries athletes face in various sports. This presentation offers insights into the causes, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation techniques for hand injuries. From sprains to dislocations, we explore the impact on performance and discuss how athletes can protect their hands to stay in the game. Practice relocating fingers alongside trained professionals.

This workshop will introduce the basic concepts in network science. Students will have the opportunity to create visual representations of different networks and easy to deploy software to generate, visualize, and analyze social networks.

A hands-on activity for students to explore water resources engineering

This workshop will focus on an activity that simulates natural selection. Participants will explore characteristics of an imagined population of creatures called Woolyboogers to learn about the process of natural selection within an environment.

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