Armour Students Inspire Young Minds During Engineers Week

In celebration of National Engineers Week (Feb. 16-22, 2014) Illinois Institute of Technology’s Rice Campus was transformed into a hive of activity for the young mind. E-Week began in 1951 as a way to call attention to the contributions to society that engineers make. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of STEM education for young minds.

Armour College of Engineering (ACE) had a roomful of fun activities for kids to interact with and learn about the many different engineering fields. On several tables visitors could play with toys that used electroencephalography (EEG), technology that measures electrical signals from the brain, to levitate a ball through obstacles by focusing your mind. This activity was a favorite of many of the children and adults in attendance. Kids were also challenged to build bridges made out of plastic straws and pieces of tape. They then tested their bridge designs by seeing how much weight they can hold. Another fun engineering challenge was to complete an electrical circuit that would cause the same number to show up on two displays by connecting a number of wires on a circuit board. Attendees also learned about energy with a small wind turbine that was on display that would charge a light bulb when the rotor was spinning.

Many ACE student organizations such as: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) were on site to guide the children in attendance through the engineering activities.

ACE was just one of many great organizations present for the days activities. Some other highlights of the day’s activities included the LEGO Robotics display, power-generating bicycles, and the Mr. Freeze Cryogenics Show.

All ACE students and faculty had a great time at the event helping to inspire a passion for exploration and learning that is engrained in all engineers.

Check out Photos from the Event:
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