Agentic AI: From LLMs to Intelligent Agents- Let’s move past the 'magic' of AI to show you how these systems actually work. We'll begin by exploring the inner workings of Large Language Models (LLMs), learn what makes them so effective, and examine where their limitations lie. We’ll then dive into the world of AI agents. You'll discover how to leverage LLMs to build systems that can think, plan, and take action on their own, equipping you to shape the next generation of technology.
Bite-Sized Science: The Engineering of Food- Why does chocolate melt so smoothly in your mouth, but frozen pizza needs just the right oven time to cook evenly? Food engineering is all about applying chemical engineering principles to design processes that balance taste, safety, and sustainability. In this module, you’ll discover how engineers control heat transfer, fluid flow, and material properties to target specific design metrics — ensuring that food stays fresh, safe, and delicious.
Building Safety Using Virtual Reality in Construction- Virtual reality is a perfect tool to help civil engineers determine if their building plans are safe, before construction begins. In this module, use virtual reality to walk through building plans and locate safety obstacles or determine if building elements need to be looked at before plans are finalized.
Cool by Design: How Materials Move Heat- Have you ever wondered why some materials make great insulators while others are used to cool things down quickly? In this module, you’ll explore how properties like thermal conductivity, density, and surface structure affect the way heat moves through different materials. You’ll see how chemical engineers use these principles to design efficient systems — from better building insulation to advanced cooling technologies in electronics and energy production.
The Digital Age: Building Blocks of Electronics- Flip the switch on your imagination! In this module, you’ll dive into the world of digital electronics by building circuits, experimenting with voltage and resistance, and bringing microcontrollers to life. From gadgets in your pockets to robots on the rise, you’ll see how these tiny systems power big ideas.
Industrial Mechatronics and Robots- As less people work in factories and manufacturing, robots and other forms of industrial mechatronics are used to automate production to keep up with demand. Engineers help design manufacturing and assembly processes that these robots follow. Join us as we assemble the end gripper that allows a robot to grab parts and tune the pneumatic air supply to power the gripper
Lighting the Way: Explore LEDs and Build a Flashlight- Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are used in traffic lights, domestic lighting, remote controls and many other everyday products. Are you curious about how LEDs work? Are you interested in building your own flashlight with LEDs? In this module, you will use soldering (a process using heat to join two metal surfaces together) to build a functioning flashlight with electrical components such as resistors, light emitting diodes (LED) and a switch.
Mastering the Queue: How Industrial Engineers Optimize Wait Times- Are you curious about how industrial engineers optimize waiting lines at Disney World to ensure you do not miss your ride? This module will expose you to how industrial engineers use queuing models to design effective workflows at places such as amusement parks and restaurants to minimize wait time.
Mechatronics: From Sensors to Systems- Today's engineers often need to understand how products' mechanical designs, electrical circuits and programmed functions interact- like the Mars Rover, autonomous cars, prostheses or drones. In this activity, you will build a system that links sensors and controllers to generate a physical response.
Sustainable Water Solutions for Global Communities- Clean water is essential, but many underserved communities around the world don't have access to high-tech solutions. Design and test your own water filtration system using local and sustainable materials that are within your budget and are available to these communities. Projects like these are solved each year by engineering students who travel to breakout and immersion programs through our ETHOS Center.
Unlocking Your Creativity for Design Solutions- Ever wonder how to turn one good idea into a hundred possibilities? When generating new ideas for products and services, most people rely on brainstorming alone. Brainstorming is a good way to start — but there are other techniques that are more fun and creative, and that greatly increase the quantity and quality of novel ideas. Explore three additional techniques to generate ideas for an everyday medical device — stethoscopes.
Under Pressure: Exploring How Fluids Flow- Have you ever noticed how water shoots out faster when you put your thumb over the end of a garden hose? In this activity, you’ll explore the same idea by watching how water moves through pipes, measuring pressure, and calculating flow rates. You’ll learn how engineers use these principles to design things like faucets, water slides, and even city plumbing systems
Where Should We Put the Interstate?- Imagine you’re a civil engineer in Dayton in the 1950’s. You’re tasked with specifying the location of the “new” Interstate 75 and Interstate 70. In this module, you’ll work together to determine the best location for the new interstates that impact the most citizens — without impacting already existing towns and infrastructure.
