The exhibits at Engineering Discovery Days (EDD) inspire and motivate future engineers by engaging them in hands-on activities. This is your chance to show the community what engineers do and what engineering students are learning.

Registering a department exhibit

Sign up your group to participate in the 2024 Discovery Days! The deadline to submit your exhibit has been extended to April 10. 

Department exhibits can be located in the EDD common area or in your department building or lab. All exhibitors are asked to participate on both Thursday and Friday.

When registering, provide the following information about the exhibit:

• Contact information
• Title and short description
• Your engineering department
• Type of exhibit (hands-on, demo, tour, poster, video or other)
• If in the common area, requirements for electricity, number of tables, etc
• If in another location, details such as indoor/outdoor, building name and room number

Register as an exhibitor

Planning a location

Common area

Other locations

In or around engineering departmental buildings, you must make all arrangements for chairs, tables, tents and power.

For indoor spaces, contact your departmental Discovery Days coordinator to make arrangements.

To reserve your own space outside of a building (grassy area, etc.)

1. Contact your building coordinator to get permission.
2. Contact 206-221-7819 for the approval of the use of that space.

Planning an engaging exhibit

The following resources will help you plan your exhibit.
Tips for engaging students | Safety | Contacts

Tips for engaging students in grades 4-8

Engineering Discovery Days appeals to students of all ages because of the interactive engineering-related exhibits. Successful exhibitors cite their ideas below for creating hands-on, interactive exhibits for students in grades 4 through 8.

Your exhibit could be a demonstration of an experiment, a workshop to teach middle school students how to conduct their own experiment, a fun activity that teaches principles of engineering through hands-on participation, or a poster representing research you've done.

Good hands-on activities have:

• Student interaction: the student handles the exhibit, tries several solutions, and creates their own understanding about it. It throws light on an idea.
• A clear and detectable idea easily relatable to the "big picture."
• Visual appeal through color, symbols, etc. to draw in students.
• An interactive element.
• A problem to solve.

Also consider:

• Is the exhibit interesting?
• Can it withstand repeated handling by visitors?
• Will this be an easy hands-on activity for students 4-8?
• Will the student’s body and mind get involved with this exhibit?
• Does it convey the idea or concept?
• Does it have aesthetic appeal?

Resources:

• TEACH Engineering Resources for K-12
• makezine.com
• DiscoverE

Safety

Be prepared and know what to do in case of an accident or incident:

• In case of an emergency, dial 911.
• Escort lost children to the Loew Hall welcome booth located right outside of Loew Hall.
• For UW personnel injuries, visit Accident and Injury Reporting for incident reporting instructions.
• See Safety Considerations for Youth in STEM Environments

Coordinator committee contacts

For help and more information on exhibits concerning your department, contact your departmental coordinator.