Virtual KU Engineering Expo expands opportunities for K-8 participants


LAWRENCE – One of the University of Kansas School of Engineering’s signature events dating back more than a century will take place later this month – in a virtual format. The KU Engineering Expo is set for noon-3 p.m. Feb. 21 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 22. Events are primarily geared toward K-8 students, though all grade levels are welcome.

The event will feature engineering demonstrations and competitions, which will occur live over Zoom. Registration is required to participate in events on Sunday and Monday. After registering, participants will receive a Zoom link to their preferred activities.

The Feb. 21 events include demonstrations that participants can watch, as well as interactive activities that can be done at home with everyday items. Highlights include paper airplane design, a Jayhawk Motorsports demonstration, Minecraft coding and tin foil boats. Various competitions are scheduled for Feb. 22, and engineering demonstrations continue throughout the day. Expo organizers will also host real-time competition “office hours,” where students can show off their submissions to the clubs hosting each competition.

Participants will record their competition entries and submit them by 3 p.m. Feb. 22. KU Engineering students will review the submissions and announce winners March 1.

“Participants can expect not only a lot of a fun, but an educational experience as well,” said Caden Kroonenberg, a sophomore in computer science who serves as the registration chair for Engineering Expo. “The main goal of Expo is to introduce young minds to the field of engineering in an entertaining and informative manner, and we expect that goal will be accomplished this year – even in this virtual format.”

Mon, 02/15/2021

author

Cody Howard

Media Contacts

Cody Howard

School of Engineering

785-864-2936