Learn about coding, car construction and soft tissue research and meet the college students, professors and professionals in this field.

Are you a 5th-12th grader (or the parent of a 5th-12th grader) who likes to make things to solve problems? Do coding, car construction, electrical circuit building, bridge design or soft tissue research sound fun to you?

If you answer "yes" or "maybe" or even "I don't know, but I'll try!" then it's time to sign up for Aiken Discover Engineering Day, scheduled for Feb. 21 , 2026 at the University of Vermont. 

The annual event is organized by UVM's College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and UVM Extension 4-H and sponsored by the Lola and George Aiken Fund. It's free, there's snacks and lunch, and most importantly, there's a lot of hands-on learning about engineering! You can pick up skills and meet with college students, professors and engineering professionals.

An older student standing over a table of younger students and demonstrating with their hands with a small machine hooked up to a laptop.
More than 150 middle school and high school students from across Vermont descended upon UVM’s STEM complex for last year's Aiken Discover Engineering Day. Photo by Chris Dissinger/CEMS.

In the morning, Discover Engineering Day kicks off with an Engineering Scavenger Hunt, where you'll interact with exhibits showing off the different kinds of engineering and career pathways. Then in the afternoon, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., there will be hour-long workshops to choose from. 

They include: 

  • Coding with Python, a general-purpose, versatile, and powerful programming language used in everything from web development to machine learning to data science. During the workshop, you'll create a personalized program that you can share with friends and family! (For all ages, limit 20. Participants will be required to bring their own laptops.)
  • Making a custom fabrication project in the UVM FabLab! You'll learn about laser cutting, 3D printing and design techniques used by college students in engineering, art, and architecture. (For grades 5-8, limit 15.)
  • Learning how bridges are designed from VTrans Bridge Design Engineers. You'll discuss key principles of designing bridges, forces that need to be resisted, and common shapes and materials used. And then you'll build a bridge out of paper that will hold weight! (For all ages, limit 25.)
  • Receiving an introduction to designing and building electric and hybrid vehicles from UVM’s Alternative Energy Racing Organization, a student-run club that competes at Formula Hybrid, an international collegiate competition. You'll go over the basics of electrical circuits, then apply those concepts to create your own snap circuits! (For grades 5-8, but all welcome, limit 15.)
  • Creating your own cartilage hydrogels in the Biomedical Engineering Teaching Lab. You'll explore how material stiffness affects performance and use a vertical tester to compare the strength and flexibility of different hydrogel samples -- just like real researchers studying cartilage and soft tissues! (For grades 8-12, limit 15.)
  • Building a series of circuits using breadboards, wires, resistors, and most importantly, LEDs! You'll explore current flow and circuits diagrams, and you'll try out other components like motors, light sensors, and 555 timers. (For all ages, limit 20.)
  • Discovering the power in wind by using the engineering and design process to make turbine blades and generate electricity! (For all ages, limit 25.)

Find the full workshop descriptions here, and review prior to registering. 

Online registration is required. Registration will remain open until filled, or until Monday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. 

In-person location: University of Vermont

Date and time: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2026

Accommodations: To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please email Accessibility Services at access@uvm.edu and include amanda.royce@uvm.edu before Friday, Jan. 31, 2026.