Philly Materials Science and Engineering Day
The Penn-MRSEC joined with Drexel Materials Science and Engineering, Penn Materials Science and Engineering, Penn’s Nano/Bio Center, and WHYY to organize a Philly Materials Science and Engineering Day for the general public on Saturday, February 5, 2011. The event was supported by a small grant from the science program NOVA and coordinated by Dorilona Rose, Drexel MSE. It took place at Drexel’s Bossone Research Center and consisted of materials demonstrations by graduate students of both institutions, several industrial companies, and one high school, Central HS, which has established a senior year materials science elective course. In addition, general lectures were given by Penn and Drexel faculty along with an industrial talk by Dr. Ken Pye, Lignol Innovations Inc. Grand Hank, host of the Philadelphia school system’s cable TV program,’The Science of Philadelphia’ presented chemistry demonstrations called ‘Hip Hop Science’ and Bill Berner, Penn Physics, presented demos on ‘ Why is a volcano like a cloud?’ The event exceeded all expectations with ~800-1000 in attendance, most of whom were K-12 students. It was enjoyed by both attendees and presenters to such an extent that it will be repeated next year.
