With the goal of inspiring the next generation of Engineers and Computer Scientists, the MSU Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering (NACOE) hosts sixth-graders from local middle schools in Bozeman for a day of hands-on engineering and computer science activities led by MSU students each year. 

NACOE students explain the engineering and computer science principles involved in making ice cream, designing a bridge, programming a robot, and more! This annual event is an opportunity for middle schoolers to see that an engineer or computer scientist can look like anyone, including the person they see in the mirror!

For questions, please contact the NACOE Deans Office at coedeansoffice@montana.edu or 406-994-2272. 

 

After taking a COVID-hiatus, our college is exciting to be hosting another Engineer-a-thon event on March, 30 2023!

Engineer-a-thon Virtual Activities 2021

At home activities with interactive videos and worksheets

As many events during the pandemic of Covid 19, the 2021 Engineer-a-thon was switched to a virtual format. The videos and worksheets can be viewed and downloaded at any time for parents, teachers, and students to use. 

Click here to view the range of STEM activities!

Engineer-a-thon Activities 2020

Properties of Light

Students use polarized materials and other light filters to understand how the materials interact with infrared light.

International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE)

Transportation and YOU!

Using model cars, students simulate their interaction in difference scenarios.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

Lego Assembly Line

Students will build a model with legos, first by themselves and then in an assembly line. Then we'll discuss why the assembly line allowed them to build the model so much faster.

American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM)

S'more Logic Explanation

Kids will explain how to put together a s'more and we will do it exactly as they say, to show how being specific matters.

Association for Women in Computing (AWC)

Solar Energy

Students use basic computer code commands to instruct others to make s'mores.

Solar Car Club at MSU

Concrete Mixing

Students mix their own batch of coal fly-ash concrete and place it into a mold. This fast-setting concrete allow kids to create a finished product that they can take home.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Design and Planning

Through designing their optimal college apartment of the future, students explore planning and design concepts and how they are used to meet public needs around building design and how that influences building costs.

Association of General Contractors (AGC)

Air Flow and Transfer

Did you know straws aren't just for drinking? This interactive experience inspires students to challenge air transfer processes and answer questions like: How many straws is too many for good air flow? and How much force is needed to transfer air through varying lengths of straws?

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Filtering Water

Students use a variety of household materials to filter water, increasing understanding in how clean drinking water is created.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

Making Ice Cream with Liquid Nitrogen

The cold temperature of liquid nitrogen is used to chill ice cream ingredients and make the tasty treat.

American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

Fun with the Chemistry of Materials

Everyone loves a good bouncy ball. Students will mix safe materials together, following a process that creates their own bouncy ball.

Society for Women in Engineering (SWE)

Our Place in the Universe

Interactive Activity Related to this year's SPOT show.

Space Public Outreach Team (SPOT)

Fun with DNA

Students swish salt water in their mouths to extract some DNA that congeals with the aid of rubbing alcohol, then enjoy some bacteria-enriched juice.  

Society of Biological Engineers (SBE)