The College of Engineering Student Council attracted about 200 guests for a UI College of Engineering Day December 3 at the Iowa Children's Museum in Coral Ridge Mall, Coralville, IA. The council had about 28 engineering student volunteers help run several stations featuring the six undergraduate engineering majors.
The stations offered children an interactive way to learn about engineering. Each station also had a sign about the major, what it does, and a fun fact and information about the activity.
The stations included:
- Biomedical Engineering -- Simulate a rescue basket using various materials such as toothpicks, paper towels, paper, aluminum foil, etc. that can carry a baseball a certain distance.
- Chemical Engineering -- Put water in a cup of soap. Use a straw to blow bubbles and add food coloring on top. Place a piece of paper on top of the bubbles to create bubble art.
- Civil Engineering -- Dixie cup tower challenge to create the tallest tower that can hold the most weight.
- Electrical Engineering -- "Brushbots." Use a toothbrush head with a batter and small motor on top. The battery and motor cause a vibration which then allows the bot to move around.
- Industrial Engineering -- Have a demonstration paper rocket and challenge students to design a similar one in less than five minutes. Children then try launching the rocket.
- Mechanical Engineering -- Create catapults our of Popsicle sticks and rubber bands.
The stations were scattered throughout the museum for visitors and complemented the regular museum activities.