High school students to explore science during visit to UB

UB will take its spring break March 20-24, but don’t expect the campus to be quiet — especially on March 22.

That’s the day when more than 1,000 Western New York high school students will descend on the North Campus for UB’s annual Science Exploration Day.

The event, being held from 8:25 a.m. to 1:05 p.m., aims to get students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields and “tune them into science,” says Rodney Doran, professor emeritus of science education in the Graduate School of Education. Doran is one of the dozen science teachers, professors and administrators from local schools and colleges that make up the committee that plans the event each year.

“They can see and hear about what is happening at the ‘cutting edge’ of science with Western New York professionals,” he says of students attending the event.

That includes a wide variety of topics ranging from studying coral reefs and the UB earthquake simulator, to investigating paranormal mysteries and using luminol to solve crimes.

Students will attend a large keynote presentation, one of six different large-group presentations and two small-group presentations — they’ll be able to choose small-group sessions that most interest them from among 30 options.

Presenters include professionals from local industry, research organizations, government agencies and the health care services industry, as well as UB faculty members, staff and students.

The returning keynote speaker, Bill Owens, is a senior engineering consultant for Praxair Inc. He will be reprising his “The Cold, Cold World of Cryogenics” presentation in which he demonstrates how normal materials react at extreme temperatures.   

More information on Science Exploration Day can found on the event’s website.