Lets Innovate

Program Details

High school students and their teachers are invited to attend this one day conference. Students will engage in hands-on sessions in STEM topics such as drones in engineering, graph theory, and disease detection, or marine technology and the future. Learn from professionals in STEM fields and find out what it takes to pursue a career in STEM. High School teachers in the following public school divisions are eligible to bring a group of students to the conference; Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Hanover, Henrico, King William, Petersburg, and Richmond city. Interested students must ask their math or science teacher for a registration form.


StormA Storm is Coming!

Immerse yourself in MSiC's Weather Emergency Operations Center as you explore the atmospheric forces that shape weather around the globe. Track and forecast a tornado outbreak then deliver the severe weather forecast on camera using simulated and real-time data. Learn just how much science and fun is in the world of meteorology! You will never look at weather forecasting the same way after attending this session.


CodingSTEAMdesignCoding and STEAM Design

Learn to apply foundational coding skills to game-based coding using littleBits. Students will participate in a fun STEAM challenge by designing and building a game that is controlled by code. Get started in computer science and learn about the importance of developing high-level technical skills for both personal and career development.


GraphTheoryDots & Lines: Graph Theory

Many things in life can be solved by using dots (nodes) and lines (edges). Mathematicians refer to this field of study as Graph Theory. Explore how graph theory is used to solve some of our greatest mysteries such as building dungeons or tracking diseases.


DroneDrones: So Much More Than A Fun Toy

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones are not only fun but are being used in many career fields today. Drones can reach places humans cannot or should not fly. Join a UAS pilot and see how advancements in the use of UAS technology is being utilized in the field of engineering.


MagnifyYourWorldMagnify Your World!

Is it possible to see the tiny world around us with just paper and some origami folds? In this session build your own portable microscope called a Foldscope® to capture images and create videos of the microscopic world surrounding us. Explore how scientists are using these small and affordable microscopes out in the field to make amazing discoveries.


MemesModelsMemes, Models, and Mathematics

This is an answer session. So, what questions will be answered? How about questions like: When am I ever going to use this stuff? Why don't we talk about stuff I am interested in? Pepe, Doge, Success Kid, Nyan Cat, Rickrolling, SpongeBob, or Despair? Using data and modeling see how you can answer questions like these just like the pros.


MovingToMarsMoving to Mars

Some people think we can move to Mars. Can we? In this session, students will design solutions to some of the civil engineering obstacles faced by those who are looking to colonize the Red Planet. From sustainable food sources and clean water to housing and waste management, students will work to find and design ways to make the red planet more like home.


OceanPicWhat's the Ocean Trying to Tell Us?

Ocean exploration is not all about dolphins and sharks. How can we hear what the ocean has to say? We'll look at past and present methods humans have used to decipher the language of the sea. Can you predict the next steps in marine technology?