UAF to host engineering open house

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: 907-474-7778
02/18/08

The University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Engineering and Mines will host an engineering open house in the Duckering Building from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.

Pan for gold, eat electric hot dogs, watch a simulated earthquake, float marbles or drive a remote-controlled robot using text, audio and video messaging via the latest Access Grid Internet technology and the resources of the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center.

A Lego sumo contest for the First Lego League will take place at 1 p.m. and will provide an opportunity for league members to sharpen their skills during the off season as well as give the community a chance to learn more about the field of Lego robotics.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to see this year’s annual ice arch built by engineering students. The bridge, constructed near the Rasmuson Library, will be sprayed in place on wood forms.

Engineering students, faculty members and organizations from the fields of civil, electrical, geological, mechanical, mining and petroleum engineering will host a variety of displays, interactive demonstrations and presentations geared for all ages.

The UAF steel bridge team will display the 2006 bridge and present information regarding the 2008 regional steel bridge competition. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the team’s bridge design and tour the machine shop where they build the bridges.

During the open house, there will be stations set up for Girl Scouts and Brownies to earn engineering badges while learning about the different engineering fields.

The open house takes place in conjunction with National Engineers Week, an annual event to increase public awareness and appreciation of engineers and their work and is sponsored locally by the Fairbanks chapter of the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers. All ages are welcome. Parking is free.