Community Connections: Open House, opening minds

« Washington Engineer - May 2005

This year's version of annual event gives peek into high-tech innovation

: Chemical Engineering students prepare a traditional open house treat: liquid nitrogen ice cream.

More than 7,500 area students, teachers and parents turned out for the 2005 Engineering Open House to investigate the world of engineering, including a chance to interact with robots, experiment with earthquake-resistant architecture and explore fuel cells.

More than 100 hands-on exhibits and activities were available for visitors at what has rapidly become the biggest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, with participation increasing every year.

"This is just a great event for children, their parents and teachers from around the region," said Mani Soma, acting UW engineering dean. "It shows how much fun engineering can be."

Some of the most popular exhibits included:

Self-assembling robots. Students and faculty in electrical engineering showed how a number of small, simple robots can work cooperatively to build a larger structure.

How does Mr. Incredible do it? Bioengineers explained the ins and outs of muscle mechanics, fatigue and the molecules that help generate muscular force.

Enginearings. Chemical engineers were on hand to demonstrate how electrochemistry can change dull, gray titanium to bright, colorful jewelry. Participants used what they learned to fashion a new ring or pair of earrings.

Fuel cell-powered boat. Chemical Engineering's flagship motored around the Drumheller Fountain, powered by a fuel cell.

Soda bottle motorboat racers. What do you get when you combine a soda bottle, vinegar and baking soda? An aquatic racer, if you're at the Engineering Open House. Students and faculty helped participants build and test their own boats and explained how reaction design techniques can maximize speed, distance and power.

Smart window. Visitors were able to see and try out a window that uses an electrochromic polymer to change color at the flip of a switch.

Earthquake response. Faculty and college students demonstrated how computers can help in designing models of earthquake-resistant buildings. Then visitors were able to test the models on a "shake table."