Middle School Engineering Exploration Program (MSEEP)
Program Overview
Through our parntership with the Z.J. Loussac Library, we provide workshops for middle school students (grades 6-8), introducing them to core concepts within a variety of disciplines including civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
This year, we are offering three sessions, one on mechanical engineering on April 16th and two on computer science on April 23rd and April 30th. Students are welcome to sign up for one, two, or all three sessions. Parents and younger children (who are supervised by a parent) are also welcome to join. However, this content is designed specifically for middle school students.
Please fill out our online form to sign up for the sessions. Walk-ups will only be permitted if we do not reach capacity through the sign-up form, so we highly recommend signing up in advance.
Sessions
Engine-eering
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022
Time: 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Z.J. Loussac Library, Room Number TBD
Topic: Mechanical Engineering - Engine-eering
Presenter: Matt Cullin
Dr. Matt Cullin, UAA Professor of Mechanical Engineering, will give an overview of how engines work. Participants will then build an engine out of paper and ping pong balls.
Creative Coding - Pong Games & Maze Games
Dates: Saturday, April 23 and Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Z.J. Loussac Library, Room Number TBD
Topic: Computer Science - Creative Coding - Pong Games & Maze Games
Presenter: Joe Selmont
Joe Selmont, UAA College of Engineering Director of K-12 Outreach, will teach participants basic coding skills using MIT's Scratch coding language. During the first session, we will focus on designing a pong game. During the second session, we will turn our attention to designing maze games.