The Engineering Student Council hosted Middle School Engineering Day on Tuesday, an event intended to get junior high students interested and excited about engineering.
“It’s kind of fun because its their first time they get to see an engineering professor,” said Rebecca Briesmoore, junior in civil engineering. “Hopefully it gives them an idea that ‘maybe engineering is the right career for me.’ “
The event kicked off in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union with electromagnetism demonstrations by Mani Mina, senior lecturer in electrical and computer engineering. He showed off a Tesla coil demonstration, a neon sign transmitter and even did a few tricks with basic magnets with hopes that he would “plant some seeds for future problem solvers,” to create a whole generation who will think.
“In everything you do, be passionate about it because then you will come to love it more,” Mina said as he concluded his lecture. He rounded out by stating that he wants to instill in them the importance of problem solving of both modern issues and unforeseen ones in the future.
“If we can make an image that’s exciting, they may think about science and engineering,” Mina said. “They may go into an area where they can change the world.”
Following the presentation, the middle schoolers spent the rest of the day visiting booths hosted by 19 different engineering clubs from Iowa State in the MU and Howe Hall.
Clubs like the ISU Student Section of American Nuclear Society and the Iowa State Robotic Club used interactive activities like a Geiger Counter and a remote controlled WALL-E robot. Students were especially impressed by the messy pool of oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid made of cornstarch and water.
“It was really weird!” said Branton, a sixth grader from Nevada. “Awesome and weird at the same time. When you hold it and mush it, you can barely lift your feet.”
The Howe Hall atrium was filled with inquisitive children who were not afraid to raise their hands and to ask questions. Although he could not be sure of the success of the event, Mina occasionally sees students from events such as this one walking into his classes later in their lives.
“Our goal is to get them excited,” Mina said. “When you get them to do that, it’s amazing.”
