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February 20-24
10am-2pm
MNS is celebrating National Engineers Week by offering five days full of engineering fun just for kids! Join us from 10am - 2pm each day to explore hands-on engineering and technology activities that encourage inquiry and exploration. Be sure to check out the daily "Ask an Engineer" chats where you can meet with real, working professionals and engineering students from throughout the Metroplex. And be sure not to miss our ever-popular live stage shows!
Activities
It Ain't Rocket Science
A new series created by Time Warner Cable as part of their Connect a Million Minds initiative, and hosted by tech reporter Adam Balkin, this show highlights efforts to engage young people around learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Dallas Personal Robotics Group
Like building robots? DPRG does! Come see some of their creations and learn how and why they were built. (Monday only)
Dallas Makerspace
What do you get when you combine common household objects, scraps of metal and a group of people with wild imaginations? The possibilities are limitless. Meet the makers from Dallas Makerspace and view some of their inventions.
Gears
These child-friendly plastic gears let even the littlest scientists explore their engineering skills.
Squishy Circuits
Did you know that Play-Doh conducts electricity? Let your creative juices flow as you make creations that spin, buzz, and glow.
Buckyballs
Buckyballs are tiny, soccerball-shaped molecules made of carbon. Their hollow structure could make them useful for delivering medicine in the future. Build a buckyball model and learn about their scientific importance.
Body Rhythm
Did you know that when you touch one of the contacts on the instrument, a small electrical current flows over your skin? When you touch someone that is also holding the instrument, the current is able to flow back to the instrument and complete the circuit. When the circuit is complete, a sound is triggered.
Robo Mania
Robots have helped humankind in amazing ways! They make our food, build our cars and even perform surgery! Experiment with our tabletop robots to see what you can do with the power of technology.
Augmented Reality
Immerse yourself in simulated learning worlds and experience augmented reality. You'll learn about chroma-key technology and other cool tricks during this interactive experience.
Presented by IBM
Jeopardy: You vs. Watson
Are you smarter than a computer? Face-off against IBM's famous Jeopardy champion, Watson, an artificial intelligence computer system.
Presented by IBM
Bunny Copters
Can you make your copter twirl faster than your friend's? Test your engineering know-how as you launch paper bunny copters in the air.
Presented by IBM
Ask an Engineer Chats
Daily at
11:30am
Electronic and Software Engineering
Monday, February 20
Paul Bouchier
Software Architect at Hewlett Packard Co.
Presented by the Dallas Personal Robotics Group
Paul Bouchier designed computer electronics for many years before becoming a software engineer. Learn about the joys (and the pain at times) of creating new products out of hardware and software. Paul will explain what engineers do and the various types of jobs available in computer engineering. Paul received an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UT Dallas.
Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and the Engineer of Tomorrow
Tuesday, February 21
Nandika D'Souza
Professor at the University of North Texas
Presented by the Society of Women Engineers
The Engineer of tomorrow will work in a world of cross-disciplinary interactions that challenges the traditional approach of focusing on one narrow area for a lifetime. The rapid development of new technologies as well as concerns for the environment is energizing the creative spirits of engineers around the world. In this presentation, we will outline engineering challenges and focus on how the future generation of engineers can use its talents for the greater good of the economy and humanity.
Civil Engineering: Under Your Feet and Over Your Head
Wednesday, February 22
Matt Ludwig
Municipal Civil Engineer at HDR Engineering
Presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers
Mr. Ludwig will discuss how Civil Engineering impacts your everyday life, from when you wake up in the morning, until you ride home from school. He will talk about the many examples of Civil Engineering all around us, and about the wide variety of Civil Engineering careers that are available.
IBM Smarter Planet
Thursday, February 23
Tanya Bubash/Romelia Flores
Director, Global Solution Center/IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor
Tanya Bubash studied Electrical Engineering and leads one of IBM's top technical teams. She will share her business leadership insights based on her experiences. Romelia Flores studied Computer Science and currently works at IBM designing and implementing Smart Planet application solutions. She will describe some of her recent client projects and her role as an IBM Distinguished Engineer.
Network Engineering
FRIDAY, February 24
Randal Robbins
Director, Network Planning & Design
Commercial Engineering
Time Warner Cable
Do you send email? Do you watch video on a mobile device? Do you place calls on your cell phone? If you answered yes to any of these, then a network engineer has helped you! Data networks play a critical role with our business and residential customers. Randal will explain the general functions of a network engineer and what other types of career opportunities are available in the field of engineering. He will also share information on the various types of networks used for business functions, carrier access and cell tower backhaul.
Shows
Electric Theater
10:30am: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
12:30pm: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.
Explore the world of electricity and magnetism through this exciting (and "shockingly" cool) demonstration. Volunteers will join our presenter on stage to demonstrate the workings of Van der Graaf generators, electromagnets, step-down transformers, Tesla coils and more!
Looking for more tech fun? Don't miss Discover Technology February 25-26.
*Activities may be subject to change without notice.
