UB to host 850 high schoolers for Science Exploration Day on March 18

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Nearly 850 high school students from across Western New York will be on the University at Buffalo North Campus for the 33rd annual Science Exploration Day, a daylong program of workshops, demonstrations and laboratory tours.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at sites across campus.

On-site contact: John Arnold, conference planning committee member, at 716-631-0229.

Science Exploration Day brings scientists, engineers and health care professionals to campus to offer students a real-world glimpse at how science can impact the world. Presentations, tours and activities will be led by UB science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM) researchers, as well as representatives from local organizations, including New York State Sea Grant, SUNY Erie, National Grid, AECOM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The National Weather Service and Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center.

“It’s an honor to share the depth of UB’s STEMM resources with students from across the region who are beginning to imagine their own futures,” said Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, vice president for health sciences and dean of UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “By opening our labs and classrooms for this hands-on day of exploration, we hope to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and healthcare professionals.”

The seminars are designed for a hands-on, accessible experience on popular science topics, including:

• Robotics
• Artificial intelligence
• Working with microorganisms
• Touring UB chemistry, biology and engineering labs
• Exploring fluorescent minerals
• Exploring gross anatomy
• Flower dissection to study evolutionary biology
• Studying human genetics through a pedigree chart
• Studying lake effect beyond winter snow

Founded over 30 years ago by the late Rod Doran, a professor emeritus in the UB Graduate School of Education, Science Exploration Day promotes interest and thoughtful engagement in science, engineering and medicine fields among high school students.

Sponsors include, Hospice Buffalo, UB’s Vice President for Health Sciences Office, UB Business and Entrepreneur Partnership’s (BEP) Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics (UB CMI), a project of NYS Department of Economic Development (DED), M&T Bank; and the UB School of Engineering’s Department of Community Outreach.

Students are coming from 29 high schools, representing 23 school districts, and a geographic area that covers nearly all of Western New York. Districts represented include Buffalo Public Schools, Williamsville School District, Sweet Home, Hamburg, Panama, East Aurora and Tapestry charter school.

For more information, contact Sandra Small, BEP senior manager of science education and workforce development, at sksmall@buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships (BEP) provides a suite of services and programs that connect entrepreneurs, startups and industry with UB’s resources—such as cutting-edge research, advanced technologies, expert faculty and a diverse talent pool—to drive innovation, facilitate technology transfer, foster industry collaborations and promote economic and workforce development.

The Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics (CMI) leverages the University at Buffalo's cutting-edge materials science, big data analytics, and advanced manufacturing expertise to drive critical R&D activities and grow materials and manufacturing businesses in New York State. Learn more: buffalo.edu/cmi