8/31/2009
On Saturday, August 29, four teams of students from the College of Engineering brought their love of science and engineering to he 34th annual Sweetcorn Festival in downtown Urbana.
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On Saturday, August 29, four teams of students from the College of Engineering brought their love of science and engineering to the 34th annual Sweetcorn Festival in downtown Urbana.
Four unique booths hosted different demonstrations aimed at engaging festival goers while with science fun.
The Department of Computer Science’s activity was "Games for Future Computer Scientists," where kids had the opportunity to learn some of the basics of computer science.
The Society of Women Engineers showed how engineers are creative and innovative team players. Using a limited number of newspaper pages, participants built their own structures that had to be strong enough to support two heavy college textbooks. Shouts and screams arose as children (and grownups) tested their structures.
Isaac Newton was well-representated at the festival. The Society for Women in Physics and the Physics Van outreach organization brought out the liquid nitrogen, wowing children and adults alike.
Silly putty is a "material,
" right? The Material Advantage Society from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering had people rolling in silly putty. In addition, the children had the opportunity to play with demos that showed how materials science really can be fun and intriguing.
Energetic engineering students from the student organizations definitely demonstrated to one and all that engineering is fun, exciting, and exists all around us. The 34th Sweetcorn Festival took place on August 28-29 in downtown Urbana. The Urbana Business Association and the University of Illinois teamed up to put on a variety of activities and demonstrations for the entire family.
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Contact: Susan A. Linnemeyer, director, Office of Special Programs, 217/244-1816.