Program Facilitator: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), RPI Chapter

In this engaging workshop, young students will dive into the world of simple machines through hands-on activities. They will have the opportunity to build their own mini levers and pulley systems to understand the basics of how these machines make work easier. Through playful experiments, kids will gain a fundamental grasp of physics concepts while having a blast.

Program Facilitator: Society of Women Engineers (SWE), RPI Chapter

In this fun-filled workshop, students will embark on a journey into the fascinating world of civil engineering, learning the basics of building and design through hands-on activities and creative challenges. Working in groups, they will get the chance to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to create a structure that can support the most weight.

Program Facilitator: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), RPI Chapter

Students will create their own balloon car. The kids will use recycled materials with balloons to make functional cars. This project combines creativity, sustainability, and hands-on learning for an engaging and educational experience.

Program Facilitator: RPI Engineering Ambassadors (EA)

Learn how engineers get shuttles and rockets into space. Students will learn about landing a shuttle on Mars, building their own shuttles with design constraints by combining the right amounts of water and alka-seltzer to get their own rockets into the air.

Program Facilitator: Society of Physics Students

Members of RPI’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students will share fun physics experiments in an interactive presentation. There will be super-cold science using liquid nitrogen, electrifying experiments with the Van de Graaff generator, dramatic demonstrations using a trashcan air cannon, and more. The Physics Magic Show is perfect for anybody ready to be amazed by the mysteries of the physical world.

Program Facilitator: RPI Coding&&Community (C&&C)

Students will use Scratch to create a chase game. After they complete the simple game, students will be able to add and adjust elements and discover how this makes the game harder and affects the game overall.

Program Facilitator: RPI Science Ambassadors (SA) 

Join the RPI Science Ambassadors to learn about genetic inheritance and how scientists use organisms like yeast, mice, and worms to study human biology. Students will apply their knowledge and design their own mini-monster and model organism based on scientific questions. 

Program Facilitator: Lily Donaldson, Ph.D. student at LESA and Research Assistant at NASA’s Climate Change Research Initiative 

Students will learn about growing plants in space and space foods. In the Art Technically Astrobotany workshop, students will taste test freeze dried food, view a grow-light demo, and tour Controlled Environment Agriculture facilities at RPI’s Center for Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications (LESA).

Program Facilitator: RPI Engineering Ambassadors (EA) 

The EAs, with the help of engineers from National Grid, will share information on geothermal energy and on different kinds of renewable energy and how engineers are generating energy from sustainable sources. Students will create their own turbines as part of a wind energy activity. 

Program Facilitator: National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), RPI Student Chapter 

Will your structure survive an earthquake? Students will build a tall structure out of simple materials, and test to see whether it would be able to resist various magnitudes of earthquakes at scale. They will test earthquake resistance using stick-and-marshmallow models on the shaker table. 

Program Facilitator: Materials Advantage Professional Society 

Students will learn firsthand about the properties of various materials by taking part in activities that show the transitional qualities of glass, how crystal structures bind, strengths of materials, how nylon is made, and how temperature affects light diodes.

Program Facilitator: Dr. James Olson, Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering (MANE) 

Join Dr. James Olson as he guides participants through various research topics including physics of the Big Bang, solar fusion, and how complex life might have evolved on Earth. This session will be interactive and engaging, with students having the option to participate or lead how the research unfolds. If you have ever been curious about pursuing research as a career, this is your chance to get started. 

Program Facilitator: Center for Materials, Devices, and Integrated Systems 

Ever marvel at how science and technology join forces to create nanostructures a thousand times smaller than a human hair? These miniature marvels are the backbone of today’s digital age, powering everyday technology, including smartphones, computers, and cars, as well as cutting-edge microprocessors, controllers, and advanced computational tools. This program will offer high school students an exclusive look into the inner workings of RPI’s Micro- and Nanofabrication Clean Room and Nanoscale Characterization Core. Here, students will get hands-on experience with the materials, processes, and equipment that bring this “magic” to life. Dive into the world of micro- and nano-length scales, learn cleanroom protocols, and take part in exciting demonstrations.

Program Facilitator: Rensselaer Admissions

Rensselaer Admissions invites you to a student panel focused on ensuring a successful transition from high school to college. Panelists will share their experiences exploring and applying to colleges, making a final decision, and acclimating to life on campus. Our students will discuss what they wish they had known, what they would do the same or differently, what advice they have, and the importance of finding a school that is the right fit. Come with questions and an open mind!