High school students to visit UB for Science Exploration Day

UB’s North Campus will be bustling with students on March 21, although they will be a bit younger than those usually found on campus.

While UB students are enjoying their mid-semester break, the university will play host to local high school students for Science Exploration Day.

The annual event is dedicated to showcasing the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, with the goal of encouraging students to pursue careers in these STEM disciplines. Student participants will attend a keynote talk and multiple small-group sessions or lab tours of their choice.

Rodney Doran, UB emeritus professor of science education and an organizing committee member, looks forward to another exciting day of learning for the local students.

“I totally enjoy Science Exploration Day — from the excitement of the students, to the appreciation of the teachers, and the enthusiasm of the presenters,” said Doran. “It is a wonderful event showcasing the STEM professionals in Western New York to the soon-to-be professionals from area high schools. Having been involved for each of the last 32 Science Exploration Days, I still enjoy the excitement of the day”

Bill Owens, a senior engineering consultant for Praxair Inc., returns as keynote speaker for the seventh-consecutive year. In his presentation, “The Cold, Cold World of Cryogenics,” Owens will use nitrogen and oxygen cryogenic fluids to demonstrate their properties on other material.

The small group sessions will be led by faculty and staff from Buffalo-area colleges and universities, local industries, research laboratories and government agencies. Each session will provide relevant information that also supplements what the students are currently learning in their high school science classes through presentations or lab tours. Some of the topics for the sessions include exploring the human brain, the Great Lakes and touring UB’s Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation laboratory.

Students will also take part in a large group session later in the day that will feature presentations on such topics as endangered species, forensic science and environmental chemistry in the community.

The event is set to take place between 8:25 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. If interested, registration information and more can be found on the Science Exploration Day website.