Engineering and Science Festival Schedule

• COAS/GIMM – All ages
  GIMM Gaming
  The GIMM lab will be open with activities and games available for people to come enjoy. Lab assistants and faculty will be ready to explain the game or activity or how something is made.
  
• MakerLab -All ages
  DIY Recycled Keychains: Crafting Fun with Albertsons Library MakerLab
  Come learn about how the Albertsons Library MakerLab is revolutionizing sustainability on campus with our new filament recycler, and make a 3D printed keychain out of recycled filament.

• RUCH 103
  Discovery Center of Idaho – All ages
  Design-Build-Test with Lego!
  Put your engineering skills to the test in this Lego build challenge facilitated by the Discovery Center of Idaho!
• RUCH 108
  Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering – All ages
  Bugs Under a Microscope!
  Experience the power of electron microscopes by looking at bugs under extremely high magnifications.
• RUCH 110 
  NOAA National Weather Service – All ages
  Extreme Weather Science, NOAA National Weather Service – every hour (10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm)
  Meteorologists will discuss the science of extreme weather in the context of a “Weather Jeopardy” game. Two teams will compete to be the Weather Jeopardy Champions and various scientific weather demonstrations will be conducted during the course of the game. Weather safety information will be provided in a fun and interactive way.
• RUCH 212
  Code Ninjas – Grades K – 8
  Learning to Code with MakeCode
  Dive into the world of interactive game creation with our self-paced coding tutorials for kids using Microsoft MakeCode! While exploring the basics of computer programming, young learners will have fun building their own games on the computer. The youngest coders will need a little help from parents, but together, they’ll develop essential programming skills and create something awesome.
• RUCH 313
  College of Ed (TLCE Department) – Grades K – 8
  Catapult Challenge
  Participants will design a catapult and use it to engage in challenges.
  

• Boise State Geosciences Showcase! (all ages)
  Includes both indoors and outdoors activities:

INSIDE (ERB lobby)

Table-top volcanoes:
What controls the difference between relatively peaceful eruptions, like those in Hawaii, and big explosive eruptions, like Mt. St. Helens? Come find out in this hands-on activity!

Fossils:
Learn how fossils form and see some fascinating specimens up close!

Nature’s silent sounds:
Nature is full of sound waves that humans can’t hear. In this interactive demonstration, you’ll learn how BSU scientists record and analyze these “silent sounds.”

You are what you eat:
What do isotopes in your fingernails reveal about your diet? Come find out, and you can even have a sample of your own fingernail analyzed in real time!

Ocean acidification:
In this interactive demonstration, you’ll use your own breath to learn how carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic.

OUTSIDE (south side of ERB) ***weather permitting***

Trashcan Volcanoes!
Learn what factors control explosive volcanic eruptions. Includes an outdoors eruption and demonstration.

• 15 minute demonstrations begin at the top of every hour

• Civil Engineering / Civil Engineering Clubs – All ages
  Civil and Construction Play Area
  Visit Boise State’s Civil Engineering and Construction Management programs to build structures and test them on earthquake simulators, complete traffic simulation puzzles, and create geotechnical samples to crush on the largest universal testing machine in the state of Idaho. For the youngest of the group, visit our bristle block area and and testing pit sandbox.
• BSU COEN – All ages
  EIS Tours
  Tours of the EIS work area with 3D print and CNC milling demonstrations
• New Product Development Lab/Studio\Blu/Techhelp/College of Engineering/Business – All ages
  Advanced Manufacturing: AR, VR, and Robotics in How Things Are Made
  See advanced manufacturing in action with Meta Quest VR systems and the DoBot Cooperative Robotics System!

• FIRST Idaho (Idaho Regional Robotics, Inc. – All ages
  Robots in Action
  All 3 FIRST Robotics programs will be demonstrated by local teams. FLL (FIRST LEGO League, FTC and FRC). We will have 2 FLL, 2 FTC and up to 6 FRC for the day. Attendees can drive the baby bot and learn how to get involved with FIRST Robotics in Idaho.
• FIRST Robotics Competition team 5461 V.E.R.N. – All ages
  Robots in Action
  We put the STEAM in Steampunk! – Demonstration of at least 2 150 pound robots plus a hands on make and take activity showing potential to kinetic energy!
• Rapid Aerial LLC – K – 8
  What can drones do?
  Static and hands-on displays of different drone uses and technology.
• PCS Edventures! – K – 8
  Rockin’ Robots
  Explore coding with the Sphero indi robot! Arrange vibrant tiles to guide the robot’s journey and play fun tunes along the way. Perfect for all ages, this activity combines music and coding for a creative and exciting experience!
• Idaho Lego User Group – All ages
  LEGO Construction Challenges
  Builders are challenged to construct tall LEGO towers and strong LEGO bridges within specific time and part limitations. Structures are then evaluated and scored based on design, strength and stability.
• Federal Highway Administration – All ages
  Seatbelt Demonstration
  An interactive demonstration showing the importance of always wearing a seatbelt.
• WTS TransportationYOU – Grades 6 – 8
  How Train Wheels Stay on the Track
  This activity helps kids explore how the clever design of train wheels helps trains stay on the track by allowing kids to design and test different wheels on a sloped track
• Idaho Division of Aeronautics – All ages
  Aerospace Opportunities
  Come build paper rockets and learn about a future in aerospace. See how high-tech drones support highway and bridge projects. The Idaho Transportation Department supports airports, pilots

• • MCMR 105
    Electrical and Computer Engineering – All ages
    Electronic Circuit Papercrafts and Demonstrations
    Unleash your STEAM creativity and use batteries and LEDs to light up various papercraft projects including greeting cards, hats, origami, and more. Learn about the basics of electricity with this hands-on activity and associated electrical and computer engineering demonstrations.
  • MCMR 106
    Julia Robinson Students – Grades K – 8
    Julia Robinson Math Festival
    The Julia Robinson Math Festival (https://jrmf.org) creates fun math experiences for K-8 students and promotes interest in logic and problem-solving through hands-on games and activities. The goal is to empower students to build confidence, joy, and belonging in math. With various levels in every game, there is something for everyone.
  • MCMR 126
    Boise State University/Materials Science & Engineering/Surface Science Lab – All ages
    Beyond the Looking Glass: “Seeing” at the Nanoscale
    Learn how scientists and engineers “see” things too small to be seen with an optical microscope!
  • MCMR 205
    Boise State University/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry – All ages | 11 am and 1 pm
    Dr. Picklestein’s Science Spectacular: Demonstrations That Dazzle!
    This family-friendly show brings science to life with electrifying experiments, colorful reactions, and jaw-dropping surprises that will amaze kids and adults alike. Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the wonders of science, where every experiment is a burst of fun and discovery!
  • MCMR 200a
    Boise State – Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering – All ages
    You are already a materials engineer
    Everything is made of something, and materials engineering is part of every hobby you enjoy! Join MSE Faculty and Staff to try out hands on demos and learn about how you are already making decisions like a materials engineer!
  • MCMR 124 and 134
    Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering – All ages
    Why is Temperature Important in Quantum Information Science? (Liquid Nitrogen, Materials and Physics Demos)
    Liquid nitrogen demo, including ping pong balls, tennis balls, and levitating superconducting magnets. Quantum information demo, including spinning coin, mini ripple tank, and chladni plates.

• MEC 114
  Engineering & Innovation Living Learning Community – All ages
  Ping Pong Catapult Challenge
  Unleash your creativity and engineering skills in this exciting hands-on activity! Students will design and build their very own catapults using simple materials like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoons, and more! The challenge? Launch a ping pong ball to knock over a stack of cups! This engaging project combines problem-solving and a touch of physics to inspire future inventors and engineers. Join us for a fun-filled session where innovation takes flight—literally!
• MEC LAB 210
  Thermal Transport and Solar Energy Laboratory/Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering – All ages
  Tin Can Thermodynamics
  We will take a quick dive into the complexities of thermodynamics using a can, some water, and a little heat.

BSU Health Science – All ages | 1 – 3 pm
Human Performance Lab
The vertical jump test is a means to measure anaerobic power. The athlete’s ability to produce power from a standing position will be assessed by the simple vertical jump.

• Boise State Varisty Esports – Grades 9 – 12
  Play and Learn: Boise State Varsity Esports Program
  Did you know you could get a scholarship to play video games? Come meet some of the Boise State Varsity Esports players, play some College Football 25 and learn about our program. We have a twitch channel, broadcast weekly during our season and are always looking to hire student employees to join our team.

• Department Meet and Greet – Grades 9 – 12 | 1 pm – 2 pm
  Meet staff and faculty from our STEM departments and learn about all the different programs offered at Boise State!
  • Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Civil Engineering

• Summit Innovation Lab – All ages
  Fling It Forward: Catapult Engineering Challenge
  Unleash your inner engineer by designing and building a catapult from scratch! In this hands-on challenge, you’ll test your creation by launching mini marshmallows and measuring the distance they travel.

• The WaterShed- City of Boise – All ages
  Explore Geothermal Heat
  Explore geothermal heat and learn how the City puts it to use in downtown Boise. Play with heat transfer, construct a pipeline, explore interactive software and speak with geothermal engineers and educators.

• College of Innovation + Design Onramp Program – All ages
  Junk Droids
  A lot of robots in Star Wars are “junk droids” – robots made from salvaged and assorted parts. With a few simple electronic parts (e.g., a motor and AA batteries) you can build your own junk droid using parts from the recycling or craft supplies bin. What will you make?

• Hatch A
  Treasure Valley GIS – Grades K – 8
  Mapping In Action
  Dive into the world of mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their transformative impact on our understanding of the world. GIS professionals from across the region are providing an assortment of hands-on activities to learn about cartography and mapping.
• Hatch B
  Reuseum Educational Inc – Grades K – 5
  BristleBot Robots
  Bristlebot Robots are the perfect introduction to the world of robotics and electronics! All electronic components come ready to be assembled, no soldering or wire stripping needed, making this kit ideal for beginners. They are easy, fun to build, and decorate. Once completed, they buzz along the top of a table like bugs.
• Hatch C
  Idaho Power – All ages
  The Shocking Truth About Electricity
  This high voltage electricity demonstration is an 8-foot diorama that includes a house, street, cars, trees, etc., along with power poles and power lines. 15,000 volts of electricity flows through the power lines and the presenter demonstrates the dangers of outdoor electricity.
• Hatch D
  National Interagency Fire Center – All ages
  RAWS/Radios/UAS
  The Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS), National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD), and UAS (Drone) programs will have demonstrations of their equipment and technology that used in wildland firefighting and wildland fire management. RAWS will demonstrate how to use their weather stations, NIICD will showcase some radio cache equipment used by wildland firefighters, and UAS will have a small and large drone for viewing.

• Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research – Grades K – 5
  Connect and Conduct
  In this interactive, hands-on activity, students will explore the properties of conductive and insulative materials. They will apply their newfound knowledge by building functional circuits using Snap Circuits kits.
• Idaho Botanical Garden – Grades K – 5
  Plants: Up Close!
  Use tools to view parts of plants and help us create a piece of nature artwork!
• Boise State Computer Science Department – All ages
  Robot Coding
  Participants will learn/observe robots responding to programmed instructions. Appropriate for all ages. Interactive and good fun!
• AstroTAC/Physics – Grades K – 8
  A variety of space-themed, hands-on activities
  The NASA-funded AstroTAC team will provide a variety of space-themed, hands-on activities appropriate for children of all ages. Join us to learn about places in our solar system and beyond.
• Foothills Learning Center – All ages
  Birding: Nature Meets Technology
  Learn the basics of birding with hands-on activities using binoculars and birding apps. Explore how technology enhances out connection with nature by helping us identify local birds and understand their behaviors.
• Biology Department/Bittleston Lab – All ages
  Microbe Art
  We will use color photographs of microbial cultures to inspire participants to make microbe art on acrylic disks/paper with alcohol inks.
• Nuclear Energy Club – All ages
  Understanding Nuclear Radiation
  We will display a sealed source of Americium 241 isotope and teach kids how to use a Geiger counter to measure the alpha particles emitted from the source. Additionally, we will have a Cloud Chamber display for kids to visualize nuclear radiation.
• Raptor Research Center – All ages
  Exploring raptors and raptor research
  Talk with students in the program, learn what is a raptor, use tools researchers use to study raptors.
• Girl Scouts of Silver Sage – All ages
  The Science of Happiness
  Join us as we discover how our senses of sight, smell, and touch can help us feel happier and healthier every day. Participants will have the opportunity to make an aromatherapy diffuser bracelet to take home.
• Boise State University/Chemistry and Biochemistry – All ages
  Pollutants in the Environment
  We have typically performed demonstrations and hands on activities to show guests about how pollutants interact with crystals and water in the environment. The last portion we have the guests make slime from PVA bags to illustrate how we can design materials to have less of an effect on the environment.
• Mathnasium of Boise – All ages
  Math Tricks
  Join us to learn a math trick to impress your friends & parents! Mathnasium is a resource to help kids improve from wherever they’re at through individualized learning plans, and we also try to make math fun.
• Boise State University Linguistics Lab – All ages
  Language Sciences
  Come learn about linguistics, the scientific study of language, through hands-on activities and demonstrations!
• Intermountain Bird Observatory – All ages
  All about hummingbirds
  Hummingbirds live life at the extremes. From their heartbeat to flight, everything about them is unique. Meet hummingbird biologists and learn about hummingbirds with the Intermountain Bird Observatory
• Chemistry Club – All ages
  Grow a Borax Crystal
  Choose your color, add a little glitter, and watch your crystal grow!
• Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research – Grades 6 – 12
  Chip, Chip, Hooray!
  Students will work with Arduinos to build circuits using components such as buzzers, speakers, LEDs, and more. This hands-on activity provides an engaging introduction to circuitry, microelectronics, and the fundamentals of engineering.
• Idaho Science Olympiad, Inc. – Grades 6 – 12
  Hands-On measurements of pH, Mass, Density, and more.
  Use pH paper to determine if a liquid is an acid or base.
  Measure the mass of regular vs diet Coke. Why the difference?
  What is density? How do we measure it and calculate it?
• Society of Women Engineers, SW Idaho Section – Grades K – 8
  Fizzy Lava Lamp Science Experiment
  Join us to create your own mesmerizing lava lamp with this simple and fun science experiment! By combining water, oil, food coloring, and fizzy tablets, students will learn about the concepts of density, polarity, and chemical reactions as they observe colorful bubbles rising and falling in the bottle. This hands-on activity offers a visual demonstration of how different substances interact and is a great way to explore basic chemistry principles in an exciting and engaging way.
• Braintree Academy – All ages
  Lego Stop Motion & Domino Chain Reactions
  Braintree Academy is passionate about STEM, and our students thrive in virtual clubs with activities like Stop Motion Legos and Domino Chain Reactions. Visit our table to explore the excitement firsthand—join us for Lego Stop Motion fun and create your own Domino Chain Reaction!
• HP Amateur Radio Club – All ages
  Demonstration and hands on of various aspects of modern amateur radio
  See the hobby of amateur radio, which can be used to chat and talk to people all over the world and even in outer space. Learn how you can send pictures using sound.

• Steve Swanson – All ages | 11:00 am
  Space Exploration: An Astronaut’s Perspective
  Steve will discuss his three trips to the International Space Station (ISS) to build the ISS and to live and work on board for six months.
• Admissions – Grades 10 – 12 | 12:oo pm
  Boise State Admissions Information Session
  This session is tailored for students beginning their college search journey. It offers a comprehensive overview of key topics, including the city of Boise, academic programs, opportunities for involvement, and available scholarship options.
• Allan Albig – All ages | 1:00 pm
  Sensible Science: How You Sense Your World
• Dan Luna – Geared towards grades 6-12 and adults, but all ages are welcome! | 2:00 pm
  Birds ARE Dinosaurs
  Over the last three decades an overwhelming scientific consensus has emerged: Birds are dinosaurs! But what exactly does this mean and how do we know this? In this talk, Dr. Luna will explain where birds fit into the evolutionary tree of dinosaurs and how the characteristics that we associate with birds today (e.g., wishbones, feathers, flight) evolved during the age of dinosaurs. You’ll be introduced to some extraordinary fossils, and you’ll never look at our feathered friends the same way!

• STEMfinity, LLC – All ages
  Strawbees possibly
  Construct and explore endless engineering possibilities with the Strawbees building system. Using straws and a special system of connectors, if you can dream it, you can build it. That’s why Strawbees comes without rules, restrictions or wrong turns for young engineers!