• Laser Cut Catapult ─ In this technology and engineering workshop, middle school students will learn about flat-pack design, then build and test a working catapult using laser cut parts. Participants will explore modern fabrication tools, learn how 2D designs become 3D machines, and experiment with physics by adjusting weight to control distance and accuracy in a competition to hit a target.

• Be a Surgeon for the Day: Repairing Cow Tendons ─ Do you ever wonder how damaged tendons are replaced or repaired? This hands-on introduction to biomedical engineering will show how injuries are repaired in the real world. Working in teams, participants will use everyday tools to fix an “injured” tendon and then test how strong their repair is. This exciting, interactive workshop encourages creativity, problem solving, and curiosity about careers in medicine and engineering. on introduction to biomedical engineering solving, and curiosity about careers in medicine and engineering.  

• Eat Like a Bug: Discovering the Diversity of Insect Mouthparts ─ Come step into the role of an entomologist through a fun, hands-on exploration of how insects feed. Using everyday tools to simulate chewing, piercing, and sponging mouth parts, students will collect and analyze data to see how form fits function in the insect world. This interactive workshop blends biology, experimentation, and real-world science to spark curiosity about insects and STEM careers. 

• Make Some Noise! Hearing and Seeing Sound Waves ─ Hey middle schoolers! Come explore the science of sound and acoustics. Through interactive stations featuring vibrating plates, musical instruments, and visual sound wave demonstrations, participants will see, hear, and experiment with how sound behaves at different frequencies. This fun, multisensory experience introduces physics and acoustics while highlighting exciting STEM and audio related career paths. 

• AI Explorers: Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for Kids ─ This workshop introduces middle school students to what artificial intelligence really is ─ and what it isn’t ─ through engaging discussions and interactive activities. Students will explore how AI systems use data, algorithms, and models, see real world applications across industries like gaming, healthcare, and transportation, and think critically about ethical and safe technology use. This curiosity-driven workshop empowers students to understand and imagine their own future with AI. 

• Listening for the Sound of the Ghost Particle ─ What do you know about one of the universe’s most mysterious particles ─ neutrinos? Through hands-on activities, participants will “listen” to simulated neutrino signals, build model detectors, and discover how scientists use radio antennas buried in the Greenland ice sheet to study cosmic events. This interactive workshop blends physics and astronomy to show how modern scientists detect the nearly undetectable and unlock secrets of the universe. 

• From Stall to Supermarket: The Essentials of Tractors, Clean Water, and Cheese ─ Welcome to the fascinating world of agricultural and biological engineering! Participants will rotate through interactive stations to build a simple water filter, make cheese, and explore how machines support modern farming, seeing how engineering connects food, water, and technology. This engaging workshop shows how engineers help solve real world challenges while keeping farms productive and food safe and sustainable.  

• Ancient DNA: A Blast from the Past ─ Come discover how scientists study DNA from long-gone organisms. Through a fun, hands-on simulation using everyday materials, students will extract, “sequence,” and match ancient DNA to organisms like Neanderthals and dire wolves while learning how genomics answer questions about evolution, health, and history. 

• Exploring Fractions as the Language of STEM ─ See how fun fractions in action can be! Using colorful manipulatives and team-based design challenges, participants will model real world situations from science, engineering, and architecture to enhance reasoning and spatial thinking. This interactive workshop will demonstrate how fractions are powerful tools for creativity, innovation, and future STEM success. 

• EnFission the Future ─ Come explore radiation, nuclear reactions, and real world nuclear technology in a fun and approachable way. Participants will use tools like Geiger counters, play interactive games, and watch demonstrations to understand how nuclear science works and why it matters. This engaging experience will demystify nuclear energy while inspiring curiosity about science, engineering, and future STEM careers. 

• Intro to Runway Modeling ─ Teams of participants will get to build and test a model car using recycled materials! Participants will use simple math and modeling to predict how far their car will roll down a ramp, then refine their designs based on test results. Learn more about the engineering design process while practicing creativity, teamwork, and problem solving.
• Bouncy Science Lab: Create Your Own Super Balls ─ By mixing ingredients and testing how high their creations bounce, middle school participants will discover how polymers and material “recipes” affect properties like flexibility and strength. This playful materials science workshop introduces real scientific thinking—encouraging curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.

Tracks for High School Participants (ages 14-18 years)  

• NeuroGAME: Which Neurotechnology Will You Pick IF you had…? ─ Are you interested in exploring cutting-edge brain technologies?  In an interactive game, participants will match neurotechnologies to real brain disorders and will weigh effectiveness, accessibility, risks, and ethics while learning how neuroscience innovations impact people’s lives. This workshop blends science, ethics, and critical thinking to help participants understand the future of neurotechnology. 

• Eat Like a Bug: Discovering the Diversity of Insect Mouthparts ─ Come step into the role of an entomologist through a fun, hands-on exploration of how insects feed. Using everyday tools to simulate chewing, piercing, and sponging mouth parts, students will collect and analyze data to see how form fits function in the insect world. This interactive workshop blends biology, experimentation, and real-world science to spark curiosity about insects and STEM careers.  

• Sun Rays to Green Energy: The Science of Solar Cells ─High school students will get a hands-on look at how sunlight is transformed into clean, renewable energy in this workshop. Explore organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells, experiment with the science behind solar power, and tour a real research lab to see how new solar technologies are developed. 

• Mindful Lines, Calm Minds: Finding Relaxation Through Art ─ Enjoy a calming, hands-on experience while learning about the science of mindfulness and emotional wellbeing. Participants will be introduced to ways that psychologists study stress and anxiety, then practice guided mindfulness and drawing techniques to explore how focused attention can support mental health. This reflective workshop blends psychology, creativity, and real research tools to help students build practical skills for relaxation and selfcare.