ERIC - 2nd Floor
Hands
Infiltration
Modeling
Programming
Labs Inc.
Students will design and construct a structure using index cards and limited tape to support a tower of textbooks. Teams must build a strong and efficient foundation that can hold increasing weight for a set period of time. Designs are evaluated based on strength, height, and material efficiency. This challenge emphasizes structural design, resource management, and creative problem-solving under constraints.
Students will design and build a small boat using a single sheet of aluminum foil to hold as many pennies as possible without sinking. Boats are tested in water as pennies are added one at a time, and the design that holds the most weight wins. The challenge explores buoyancy, weight distribution, and creative design approaches.
Students will design and build a mechanical hand capable of picking up and transporting objects of different shapes and sizes. Teams compete to move items across a set distance using only their device, earning points based on speed and difficulty of objects handled. This competition encourages understanding of biomechanics, precision, and functional design.
Presented by the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research, this demonstration will show how engineers and researchers study the movement of water through soil using runoff and infiltration models. Students will observe how soil moisture equipment is used to measure and understand how water is absorbed, stored, and moves across different surfaces. Participants will learn why soil moisture data is important for agriculture, environmental monitoring, stormwater management, and infrastructure planning. This activity highlights how earth science and engineering tools help researchers better understand natural systems and support decisions related to water, land, and the environment.
Join Magnus Labs Inc. for an exciting demonstration!
Students will be introduced to basic programming concepts through a hands-on Bee-Bot activity. In this walk-up experience, participants will program small floor robots to follow a sequence of commands and navigate through a maze. This activity helps students explore computational thinking, problem-solving, sequencing, and debugging in an accessible and engaging way. Participants will see how simple instructions can guide robotic movement and will have the opportunity to test, revise, and improve their programs as they work through the maze challenge.
Building feature.
Building feature.