ENVISION Registration Opens TOMORROW!

Welcome to this special Science Outreach Newsletter announcing online registration for ENVISION 2023! Below is the registration link which will be active starting at noon on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Registration will close on February 19, 2023, or when all spots are filled.

To read more about the ENVISION workshops and the registration process, keep scrolling! 

ENVISION Workshop Tracks 2023

The first five Tracks below (1-5) are options for high school students in grades 9-12 and the last three Tracks (6-8) are for middle school students in grades 6-8. Each track features three, different workshops. Participants should choose only one track for the entire day.  Depending on the track number, there will be one or two workshops in the morning and the remaining workshop(s) in the afternoon. A lunch break will occur in a Penn State dining hall where participants will get to select their own menu items and chat with other participants while eating!

TRACK 1: Linguistics, STEM Escape, & Forensics

• Understanding Linguistic Diversity- Use scientific tools to explore and understand language, how people learn it, and how and why it has so much diversity.  
• STEM Escape Room with ARL- Do you want to learn about the large variety of research and work under the broad “engineering” category?  Join us to gain a better understanding of the importance of teamwork in problem-solving methodologies, by utilizing software/programming skills, mechanical engineering, optics, and buoyancy. 
• Forensic Science- We’ve all seen an episode of CSI, but what is it REALLY like to be a forensic scientist? Join the Forensics Club for an hour-long workshop to find out! 

TRACK 2: STEM Escape, Materials that Matter, & Biotech

• STEM Escape Room with ARL- Do you want to learn about the large variety of research and work under the broad “engineering” category?  Join us to gain a better understanding of the importance of teamwork in problem-solving methodologies, by utilizing software/programming skills, mechanical engineering, optics, and buoyancy. 
• Materials that Matter- Learn about a variety of basic materials applications such as metallic glasses, hygroscopic materials, shape memory alloys, and advanced microscopy analysis! 
• All About Biotech- Join the Center of Excellence in Industrial Biotechnology to learn how biotechnology impacts more than medicine. Then step into the Huck Institutes’ CSL Behring Fermentation Facility to see how biotechnology is revolutionizing the way we do new and exciting science! 

Track 3: Microbial Life, Microscopes, & 3D Printing 

• My Microbial Life- Join the MicroARCH Lab to learn all about your microbiome!  
• Magnify Your Curiosity- Did you know that you can make your own microscope? In this workshop you’ll get to do just that! We’ll then be examining leaf stomata and other microscopic wonders with your very own scientific instrument.  
• Girls! Design the World (and Space)- Join engineers from Trimech Solutions and learn all about 3D printing! You’ll get to use real hand-held 3D printers in this fun and engaging engineering extravaganza!  

Track 4: 3D Printing, Cell Phones, & Engineering

• Girls! Design the World (and Space)- Join engineers from Trimech Solutions and learn all about 3D printing! You’ll get to use real hand-held 3D printers in this fun and engaging engineering extravaganza!  
• How is your cell phone made? How everyday products depend on global systems- What does your phone have to do with sustainability? More than you'd think! Learn about where the components of our modern tech come from and how we can use this knowledge to help our planet!
• Discovering the Engineer (and Engineering!) Within You- What’s it like being a woman in engineering?  Participants will learn about the engineering design process and the importance of collaboration in engineering through a hands-on design challenge AND get to talk with a panel of Society of Women Engineers students to tell you what it’s like doing engineering as a career! 

Track 5: Neurons, DNA, & Language Technology

• Nerdy about Neurons- It’s time to learn all about brain science! We’ll get to use microscopes to analyze brain samples and learn all about how neurons function! *Warning- will involve squishy biological samples.* 
• Frankenberry- Exploring DNA!- What is DNA, and how does it work? We all have DNA, and in this workshop you’ll get to extract some from fruit… and your own body! (Don’t worry, it won’t hurt
• Language Diversity and Inclusion: Bridging the gap between Language and Technology- How do we use and recognize language, and how can computers do the same?  

All the Tracks below are options for students in grades 6-8.

Track 6: Nuclear Science, Microbiology, & Sustainability

• Staying "Rad": An Exploration of Nuclear Science and Engineering- Have you ever wanted to visit a real nuclear reactor? Here’s your chance! The staff from Breazeale Nuclear Reactor on campus will be taking students through hands-on (but safe!) activities all about radiation science, including a visit to the actual reactor! No swimming allowed! 
• Become A Microbial Detective!- What’s a microbiologist? Hint, it’s not just a short scientist. In this workshop you’ll learn all about bacteria and try your hand at identifying them!  
• Building a More Sustainable World: Tree Machine and Carbon Café- Learn all about how we can protect our community from climate change! From the food we eat to the trees in our yard, see how we can make smarter choices for a better future! 

Track 7: Materials Science, 3D Printing, & Nuclear Science

• Why it "Matters": Materials Science and Engineering in Action- What is materials science, and how does it shape the world around us? Check out some fascinating new materials while learning all about this exciting career option! 
• Girls! Design the World (and Space)- Join engineers from Trimech Solutions and learn all about 3D printing! You’ll get to use real hand-held 3D printers in this fun and engaging engineering extravaganza!  
• Staying "Rad": An Exploration of Nuclear Science and Engineering- Have you ever wanted to visit a real nuclear reactor? Here’s your chance! The staff from Breazeale Nuclear Reactor on campus will be taking students through hands-on (but safe!) activities all about radiation science, including a visit to the actual reactor! No swimming allowed! 

Track 8: Biochemistry, Nuclear Science, & STEM Escape 

• Biochemistry- How do all the tiny parts inside our bodies work, and can see see any of the chemicals involved? Yes! Join Biochemistry & Molecular Biology students for a set of fun activities including extracting DNA! 
• Staying "Rad": An Exploration of Nuclear Science and Engineering- Have you ever wanted to visit a real nuclear reactor? Here’s your chance! The staff from Breazeale Nuclear Reactor on campus will be taking students through hands-on (but safe!) activities all about radiation science, including a visit to the actual reactor! No swimming allowed! 
• STEM Escape Room with ARL- Do you want to learn about the large variety of research and work under the broad “engineering” category?  Join us to gain a better understanding of the importance of teamwork in problem-solving methodologies, by utilizing software/programming skills, mechanical engineering, optics, and buoyancy.