If you take your kids to this weekend's USF Engineering Expo, don't tell them it's a science fair. They might be too distracted by the lasers, robotic scarecrows and towers made of spaghetti and gumdrops to realize they're actually learning.
"The kids like it because there are some explosions and they can see fire," said Monica Escobar, an engineering graduate student helping to organize USF's annual science expo, sponsored by the College of Engineering. That would do it, all right.
At least 1,000 people usually show up for the two-day fest, which showcases some of the most intriguing work by USF students and partner agencies. More than 10 schools, including one from Miami, will attend today's opening day, and a slew of families will stop by on Saturday.
"It has become more interactive," said Escobar, 22, who's worked on the past four Expos. "It's like an open house. It's a good thing for us to show what we have as students, and it's a good way for people to learn about USF."
Among this year's kid-friendly highlights:
- Several robotics demonstrations, including one for an award-winning "intelligent scarecrow" built by USF students. The scarecrow was designed to ward off predatory birds using visual sensors and loud noises. Another demo will showcase USF's rescue robots, used to locate survivors on 9/11 and after Hurricane Katrina. "We have a little disaster area, a model," Escobar said. "The kids can interact with the robot and see how they work and rescue people."
- Electric car races at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
- A contest for students to see who can build the tallest and strongest tower out of gumdrops and spaghetti sticks.
- Demonstrations on how to make your own bouncy balls, putty and slime. Children will be given recipes and non-toxic ingredients with which they can make their own gooey concoctions at home.
- Waterworks, physics, laser, holography and chemistry magic shows, including demonstrations of magnetism, electricity and propulsion. In the past, USF students have frozen and shattered a rose using liquid nitrogen, and turned a penny into gold. (But not real gold. Sorry.)
