Each year, The Grainger College of Engineering hosts the highly anticipated Engineering Open House on the University of Illinois campus. This year, Illinois Science Explorers (I-Sci Explorers) had the wonderful opportunity to connect with the campus and local community while participating in this exciting, university-wide event.
Now in its 103rd year, the open house welcomed a diverse audience, including university students, faculty, local residents, and school groups. Through a wide range of interactive exhibits, games, and hands-on demonstrations, the event aimed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper interest in STEM fields. The overarching mission of the Engineering Open House was to provide an engaging and dynamic experience that encouraged exploration, learning, and discovery for all attendees.
I-Sci Explorers hosted two vibrant and interactive tables- one in the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) Building and another at the Beckman Institute. At the NCSA table, the team showcased a variety of supercomputer-themed STEM activities in support of NCSA’s mission. The Beckman table featured a playful and educational matching game, allowing visitors to engage with STEM concepts in a visual and accessible way.
Paige Duncan, community engagement specialist and I-Sci Explorer program lead, brought an enthusiastic energy to the table that captivated young visitors, who eagerly engaged in the STEM activities. She encountered many familiar faces from the I-Sci community, all of whom were excited to join in on the hands-on learning experience. She stated, “Through interactive demonstrations and playful learning, kids were able to grasp big ideas in computing and feel empowered by their ability to understand something usually seen as “too advanced.” It was a great reminder that with the right approach, science and technology can be made accessible to everyone.”
The energy at the event was buzzing with excitement, curiosity, and a genuine eagerness to learn. Crowds of children, students, and families enthusiastically made their way from table to table, excited to participate in the activities with their friends and peers. Many visitors lingered at the I-Sci table, asking thoughtful questions and immersing themselves in the experiences with open minds. The enthusiasm in the room served as a powerful reminder of how early exposure to STEM can inspire a lasting passion for science and discovery.
One of the standout activities at the NCSA table was a binary bracelet station, where participants explored how computers communicate using binary code. Visitors created blue and orange beaded bracelets, with each bead representing a 0 or 1. This hands-on activity allowed participants to physically engage with binary sequences, helping them understand how computers convey messages through combinations of zeros and ones.
In addition to the bracelet activity, I-Sci Explorers featured three other engaging games. A dot-to-dot coloring activity (also available on I-Sci’s DIY page) illustrated how computers use data to form images. A sorting game demonstrated parallel processing by having two-person teams (representing supercomputers) compete against individuals (representing standard computers), highlighting the efficiency of multi-processor systems. Lastly, a STEM matching game invited participants to pair scientific fields with corresponding images- an activity that was both educational and fun, offered at both the NCSA and Beckman Institute tables.
Paige remarked: “Kids had a great time playing our Science Matching Game and diving into our other interactive activities, all designed to make learning fun and engaging. It was amazing to watch their faces light up as they made connections, asked questions, and explored new ideas. Sparking curiosity and excitement about science at a young age is so important for shaping a strong STEM identity—and that’s exactly what I-Sci is all about: making science accessible, exciting, and empowering for the next generation.”
The event was a success, and I-Sci was pleased to play a role in making STEM accessible for all visitors. By transforming complex STEM concepts into fun and relatable experiences, the I-Sci team helped spark curiosity and confidence in learners of all ages, furthering their mission to make science engaging and approachable.