Explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and math April 29 at STEMCON

STEMCON, College of DuPage's annual exploration of science, technology, engineering and math, returns to College of DuPage on Saturday, April 29.

It will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at COD's Physical Education Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors will experience hands-on activities at a variety of indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits including remote-control car racing, aviation activities, seed bomb making, model rockets, welding simulators, math-based magic tricks, telescopes and more.

Exhibitions are run by actual researchers, industry representatives and STEM educators.

In-person workshops also are available, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the world of STEM.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is preferred via cod.edu/stemcon.

On-site registration will be available for workshops with remaining availability on a first-come, first-served basis.

STEMCON also will feature exciting physical and chemical reaction demonstrations from Kate the Chemist, who has made TV appearances on "The Today Show," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and several others. Her thrilling experiments include elephant's toothpaste, homemade gummy worms, making a thundercloud-like pillar of steam and breathing fire. A book signing will follow.

For more information, visit cod.edu/stemcon or contact Sara Spaniol at (630) 942-3021 or email stemcon@cod.edu.

Most STEMCON workshops will last between 30 to 60 minutes. Morning workshops will start between 10 a.m. and noon. Afternoon workshops will start between 1 and 3 p.m.

• "A Taste of Video Game Development," presented by COD Computer and Information Science, for fifth to eighth grade at 10:30, 11:50 a.m., 1:20 and 2:40 p.m. Create a virtual slide puzzle in this workshop, which explores the basics of game creation, including sprites (animated images), rooms (the area or world where the game happens) and objects (elements of a game that exhibit behavior or influence the game in any way). Participants use the GameMakerStudio game engine to create the puzzle and take home a QR code so they may revisit the project later.

• "Building Atoms in Virtual Reality," presented by COD Augmented/Virtual Reality Lab, for sixth to eighth grade. In this 30-minute session at 11:10 a.m. and 2:20 p.m., don virtual reality headsets and controllers to build atoms from the ground up. From the neutrons and protons in the nucleus, to the quantum mechanically defined shapes of the electron orbitals, you will manipulate and visualize these impossibly small bits of matter as you learn how to correctly assemble several different elements. Limited to 18 individuals per session.

• "Conservation Imagination," presented by Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, for fifth to eighth grade at 10:30, 11:50 a.m., 1:20 and 1:40 p.m. The hard work of conserving the natural world can be serious and fun. During this engaging 60-minute workshop, learn how important it is to balance the needs of both humans and animals if mankind hopes to achieve sustainable outcomes in the areas of preservation, conservation biology and conservation science. Explore these concepts by brainstorming ideas for "conserving" fictional animals.

• "Cybersecurity Principles and 3D Modeling," presented by COD Computer and Information Technology, for fifth to eighth grade at 10:50 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. At this two-hour workshop, code a design and then create a vinyl decal on a Cricut Maker 3 cutting machine to better understand that cybersecurity principles and 3D modeling share something in common: coding concepts. COD staff from its GenCyber program and Computer and Information Technology Department will guide participants as they use code block format on the Tinkercad online software program to create a decal design with radial symmetry. Beginning to intermediate computer skills. No experience is needed with Tinkercad or Cricut.

• "Discover Worlds Beyond," presented by COD Immersive Visualization Lab, for sixth to eighth grade at 11:10 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. Travel to worlds beyond your own and experience space travel or underwater exploration as few others have done. Virtually explore environments in a 360-degree immersive visualization lab with surround sound. Become part of an immersive reality experience that combines virtual, physical, and social interaction into a single shared event.

• "Edible Container Gardening," presented by The Conservation Foundation, for kindergarten to eighth grade at 1:20 and 2:40 p.m. Educators from The Conservation Foundation will show how to plant a small herb container garden to take home. Compare different types of seeds, learn how to start growing seeds indoors, learn how to take care of new plants and plan their future garden. The program also showcases the components of healthy soil as well as the vital role soil plays in the health of an ecosystem.

• "Electronic Circuit Building with Robotics Demo," presented by COD Electronics Technology/Robotics, for fifth to eighth grade at 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 1:40 and 2:40 p.m. In this 60-minute hands-on workshop, students will work to add components to a breadboard to make a manually controlled wearable blinky pin. They also will learn, firsthand, about industrial robots as COD staff gives them the opportunity to operate 4-foot-tall, pick-and-place robotic arms. These types of robots are used in a wide variety of industries for handling and placing products on a production line. Note: Participants will be transported via shuttle bus to the TEC building for this workshop.

• "Eye Care Assistant and Ophthalmic Technician Program," presented by COD Ophthalmic Technician Program, for kindergarten to eighth grade at 10:10, 11:10 a.m., 1:20 and 2:20 p.m. Staff will educate participants about this growing, fast-paced medical field, one that requires its specialists to have a variety of skill sets to allow them to perform hands-on patient care. Attendees will learn they may pursue an Eye Care Assistant certificate at the college. If they choose to continue their education, they may earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Ophthalmic Technician. The college's flexible program allows for hybrid learning and training with innovative technology. Note: Participants will be transported via shuttle bus to the HSC building for this workshop.

• "Food Scientist for a Day," presented by DuPage County Farm Bureau, for fifth to eighth grade, at 11:30 a.m. Join DuPage County Farm Bureau - Ag in the Classroom in exploring the world of food science! Food scientists work to develop new products, ensure food safety, create packaging, evaluate food sensory experiences, and ensure food nutrition and sustainability. In this workshop, participants will learn about food processing, sensory evaluation, and create their own trail mix. This workshop will involve food consumption and those with food allergies will not be able to fully participate. The following food items will be used in the workshop: peppermints, Skittles, Cheerios, Chex Cereal, Fruit Loops, animal crackers, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, dried fruits, pretzels, M&Ms, popcorn, peanuts, and almonds. Participants must register in advance by Monday, April 24.

• "Frankenstein Tomatoes," presented by COD Horticulture, for kindergarten to eighth grade at 10:10 and 11:10 a.m. Staff from COD's Horticulture Department will demystify the grafting process, assisting participants as they graft part of a red cherry tomato plant onto a Maxifort root stock tomato plant. They will learn how to perform a "splice" graft and will have the opportunity to take home their newly grafted plant. Tomato fans will be happy to hear they also will receive a thriving tomato plant, previously grafted by the Horticulture Department staff. Gardeners will not use fertilizer and will have the option of wearing plastic gloves. This 60-minute workshop includes a brief tour of the horticulture lab facilities. Note: Participants will be transported via shuttle bus to the TEC building for this workshop.

• "From Design to Product in Manufacturing," presented by COD Manufacturing, for fifth to eighth grade, at 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 1:40 and 2:40 p.m. COD Manufacturing Department staff will show how quickly and efficiently one can both design a product using 3D computer-aided design software (SolidWorks) and produce that product on a manufacturing machine. Participants will have the opportunity to work on plans for already-designed products (i.e. pencil holder, cell phone holder) and then watch as those products are produced in just a few minutes using lasers and other tools in the shop. No computer expertise is needed. This workshop is limited to 12 individuals per session. Note: Participants will be transported via shuttle bus to the TEC building for this workshop.

• "Identifying Minerals," presented by ESCONI Juniors, for fifth to eighth grade, at 10:50 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. Learn how to identify minerals in this 60-minute hands-on workshop from the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois (ESCONI) Juniors Program. You will learn how to use provided tools to test mineral specimens for hardness, streak, color, luster, magnetism, and more. Then you will use charts to match characteristics and identify the minerals.

•"Growing Green with the Fuel Garden," presented by COD Fuel Garden, for kindergarten to eighth grade at 10:10 and 11:30 a.m. Vicki Gerberich, the COD Fuel Garden manager, will explain the important role the garden plays at the college. Participants will learn about the garden's outdoor growing beds, rooftop garden beds and hydroponic towers as well as the Food Security Initiative on campus. As part of the initiative, the gardens have provided an average of 400 pounds of fresh produce each season (since 2019) for COD's students, faculty and staff who experience food insecurity. Attendees will learn a few spring gardening tips, have an opportunity to get their hands dirty planting seeds in pots or containers and will receive a packet of seeds to take home and plant. Dress for the weather.

• "LEGO Robotics Challenge," presented by COD Continuing Education, for third to eighth grade, at 10:30 and 11:50 a.m. Start with a predesigned base and work in teams to perfect their robot, adding details like a sensor or parts designed to increase speed or function. Teams then will compete with their robots in challenge matches. Richard Morton, an adjunct faculty member, will guide the students. No prior experience is needed.

• "Let's Go Lean," presented by Society of Women Engineers, for fifth to 12th grade, at 10:30, 11:50 a.m., 1:20 and 2:40 p.m. Hands-on activity to learn about "Lean" manufacturing, one of the strategies used to improve processes and reduce waste in the production system. Participants will then assemble LEGO cars for both a traditional assembly line simulation and a Lean assembly line simulation. They will have a chance to discuss what they observed as well as share ideas about how the assembly process could be improved.

• "Love the Skin You're In," presented by Building Bridges Inc., for fifth to eighth grade at 10:30, 11:50 a.m., 1:20 and 2:40 p.m. In this 60-minute workshop, learn about skin structure and the biology of skin. In addition, they will learn why taking care of their skin with soap and a sugar scrub is important and what happens on a molecular level when these products are used. Lastly, participants will learn the key components of a sugar scrub and create their own product to use at home. The workshop is presented by Building Bridges Inc., which empowers young girls by exposing them to STEM education and self-awareness strategies.

•"Prairie & Natural Areas Tour," presented by COD Natural Areas, for kindergarten to eighth grade at at 10:10 and 11:30 a.m. COD's 15-acre Ecological Study Area consists of about three acres of marsh, four acres of successional woodland and eight acres of reconstructed prairie planted between 1975 and 1997. Tour the ESA and see native and non-native plants and animals in these habitats. Additionally, a water sampling station will be set up to test water quality and observe aquatic macroinvertebrates. Dress for the weather.

• "Probability Workshop," presented by COD Mathematics, for fifth to eighth grade at 1:20 and 2:40 p.m. In this hour-long workshop, participants will experience guided hands-on explorations of an amazing science (Probability), enabling numerical estimates of how likely an event is to occur. Indeed, many important questions of STEM are associated with similar analyses. Takeaways include souvenir dice, playing cards, and an event activity book.

• "Robotic Programming Challenge," presented by COD Computer and Information Technology, for fifth to eighth grade at 10:50 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. COD professors have organized this workshop into sequential models to teach participants how to code robots like the Hercules robots Amazon use at its fulfillment centers. Learn programming basics to code a robot as if it was going to retrieve items from warehouse shelves and bring them to a shipping facility.