Engineers are shaping the future, and Engineers Day (or E-Day) at the University of Kentucky is your opportunity to witness how innovation and technology are revolutionizing our world.
From building bridges and discovering medication to writing software — E-Day, hosted by the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering is the largest celebration of everything science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in Kentucky.
The self-paced open house will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, throughout the engineering complex on UK’s campus.
“E-Day is a one-of-a-kind event. The entire engineering community comes together to showcase the power of engineering innovations. Current students, alumni, faculty and local industries make up our growing exhibitor profile,” Eric Sanders, co-chair of E-Day, said. “This year, we have the fortunate support of Lexmark, Lockheed Martin, Stantec and Funky Rooster Coffee (owned and operated by alumni, Rollie Mills). If you come to E-Day you will not be disappointed.”
Anyone interested in engineering and computer science will be able to explore what makes our 21st-century world work, while getting an up-close look at what it’s like to be a UK engineering student or researcher.
E-Day opportunities Include:
In addition to the excitement at UK’s engineering complex, the Robot Gladiator League Forum will take place in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom.
Starting at 10 a.m., 16 high school teams from across Kentucky will compete in the high-stakes robotics competition. Each team will be responsible for designing and building their own robot gladiators — battling in a series of melees to demonstrate technical expertise, mechanical ingenuity and strategic thinking. The top teams will advance to the State Championship on April 17 at Central Bank Center.
Created by Newton’s Attic and powered by the Center for STEM+eXcellence, Robot Gladiator League is an innovative, high-energy robotics-based sport that exists at the intersection of technology, engineering and entertainment.
“Robot Gladiator League is the future of sports, academics and competition all colliding together for students,” Buddy Berry, superintendent of Eminence Independent Schools and founder of School on FIRE, said. “It teaches participants the power of teamwork, design, coding, and perseverance while having the most fun they’ve ever had in their lives.”
E-Day comes at the end of Engineers Week, an annual event sponsored by a coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations and government agencies dedicated to promoting math and science literacy.
A century-long tradition, UK held its first E-Day on May 26, 1921. The university dismissed classes at noon to allow the community to tour the college and see its researchers and students in action. Now, an estimated 3,000 people attend E-Day each year.
E-Day is free and open to the public. Parking is also free in the Cornerstone Parking Garage, which is located at 409 South Limestone.
More information about E-Day is available online. For additional questions, contact eric.sanders@uky.edu. For questions about the Robot Gladiator League Forum, contact Dawn Cloyd at 859-492-8511.
