Workshops
October 1st
Math meets Physics on a bridge
Attendees will act as members of a “startup” company seeking a contract to build a bridge. In this capacity they will meet an “investor” to discuss the details and specific data for the planned project. CCSU students will join attendees in using ideas from Physics and Mathematics to develop the design of the bridge and make its prototype. Drs. Peter LeMaire and Viktoria Savatorova will be ready to lend a hand.
November 5th
Geochemistry of Climate Change
Our climate is changing, which will have broad impacts on the soil we use to grow crops and the water we drink. Drs. Jeff Thomas and Barry Westcott will lead students through experiments that show how changes to the gases in the atmosphere affect the chemistry of the world around us. They will discuss what is happening and what we can do to combat climate change and adapt to our changing world.
March 11th
Life of Early Earth
Life on early Earth looked much different than it does today. In this workshop students will learn about and observe organisms that thrive in extreme environments that mimic conditions present on our planet billions of years ago. The major macromolecules required to form the first cell will be explored. We will also investigate how we can apply these microorganisms towards green energy production through the creation of our own mud batteries.
April 1st
Lego Life
20 years ago, self-driving cars were a dream, but today they are on the roads. Although it is still impossible to design, build, and test a realistic self-driving car in one day, we will prototype and program a few vehicles that can perform a variety of simple tasks. Students will work in teams and use LEGO bricks, wheels, and motors to build and program semi-autonomous cars that can drive and respond to commands.