For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

The Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis will open its doors to the community and to hundreds of middle school, high school, and community college students during its E-Day open house Friday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event will showcase engineering activities and research being conducted at the Herff College, located along Central Avenue on the U of M campus.

In addition to guided tours of the College, students may compete in a variety of competitions designed to build engineering and team skills. The winners will take home cash awards to be donated to their schools. Faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Herff College will be on hand to answer questions and discuss programs offered at the College.

Middle and high school teams will compete in such events as harnessing wind power, boat building, designing a kicking device, and constructing the strongest cardboard beam, along with the traditional wall- and bridge-building competitions.

Groups may take guided tours that include demonstrations of engineering activities that range from measurement of an EKG to making biodiesel fuel out of vegetable oil. Attendees can view exhibits of implant devices, see a real industrial robot in action, find out what can be learned from a “big bang,” see how infrared wavelengths are used, and learn more about earthquakes through the “Shake, Rattle, and Stand” presentation. Individuals and small groups may walk through and visit the exhibits and demonstrations at their own pace.

Registration for the competitions is available online at www.ce.memphis.edu/EDAY2008

 Groups may register for guided tours by calling 901-678-4933 or by e-mail at srmoses@memphis.edu

The Herff College of Engineering offers undergraduate programs in biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering and in computer, electronics, and manufacturing engineering technology. Graduate programs are offered in biomedical engineering (in partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center) and in computer, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering and engineering technology. The College also houses the Ground Water Institute, a center of expertise on ground water research and management. Other research centers include The Center for Advanced Sensors and the Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute.