Burlington—Vermont 4-H and the University of Vermont (UVM) College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CMES) are sponsoring a free event for Grade 5-10 students interested in engineering.
Discover Engineering will be held on February 17 on the UVM campus from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual event will provide an unparalleled opportunity for youths to meet UVM engineering students, faculty and industry professionals and explore various engineering fields and career pathways through networking; hands-on, skill-building workshops and other activities.
Registration will close on February 7. Early sign up is encouraged as many of the workshops fill up quickly.
Morning refreshments, snacks and lunch will be provided. To register or for additional information, go to www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements. Please contact us by January 26 to request interpretation, translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate.
The event kicks off with the just-for-fun Engineering Scavenger Hunt where participants will visit exhibit tables staffed by engineering businesses, organizations and student groups to find answers to questions. After lunch, they will take part in their choice of workshops including sessions on python coding, bridge design, precision measurement and metallurgy (double session), robotics and biomedical engineering and prosthetics.
Participants also can sign up for a double session to learn laser cutting techniques to create designs using sustainable materials and how to optimize 2D materials to build 3D objects. Other options focus on learning the basics of electrical circuits and mechanical principles to build a small-scale car with UVM's Alternative Energy Racing Organization and exploring the photolithography process used by GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor manufacturer, to make computer chips.
The BSA STEM Merit Badge Day will be held in conjunction with Discover Engineering for registered Boy Scouts and Venturers, ages 11-17. They can work on requirements for badges in composite materials, digital technology, communications, electricity, engineering, inventing, graphic arts and oceanography. Interested scouts should review the BSA STEM Merit Badge prerequisites or check with their scoutmaster.
Discover Engineering, sponsored by the Lola and George Aiken Fund and Generac/DR Power, is one of several youth programs offered by UVM Extension 4-H and CMES to celebrate National Engineering Week (February 18-24). Other February offerings include 4-H World Changers: Learn to Code and the VTeen 4-H Science Pathways Café on February 10 on AgroTek Innovation. In March, STEM Showcase 6.0 will take place at UVM. To learn more, go to www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements.