U.Va. Engineering School to Host Annual Open House on March 21

From 3-D printing to leading-edge research exhibits in alternative energy, transportation and health care, the University of Virginia’s Engineering Open House showcases how engineers make a difference in the world.

Prospective students and the public are invited to the event, to be held March 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in and around Thornton Hall, the home of U.Va.’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.

The event, which draws more than 1,000 visitors each spring, allows prospective students, parents, educators and others who are interested in engineering to meet faculty and staff; talk with current students; tour buildings, labs and classrooms; and visit exhibits that highlight faculty and student research.

“Open House brings engineering to life for young students who are considering pursuing an education and career in the field,” said James H. Aylor, dean of the Engineering School. “The opportunity for prospective students to interact with our current faculty and students and see the technology they are working with on a daily basis often proves to be a life-changing experience.”

At this year’s Open House, there will be opportunities to explore the field of nanomedicine and to visit exhibits on the ChemE car, biorenewable chemicals and fuels, Smart Homes, game development, spacecraft design, electric vehicles and exhibits like “From Dance to Robots: Style-Based Abstractions for Human-Inspired Autonomous Systems,” among many other things.

The day’s activities also will include a presentation by Aylor and sessions on admissions by Professor George Cahen, director of experiential programs and outreach and associate dean of undergraduate programs, and Jeannine Lalonde, senior assistant dean of undergraduate admission. There also will be overview sessions on various engineering disciplines and a presentation by a former astronaut, engineering professor Kathy Thornton, on the “Sights and Sounds of Space Flight.”

Engineering students will lead tours, including Rice Hall and the 3-D lab in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The Center for Diversity in Engineering also will host special programs and information sessions.

The Engineering School Open House is free and open to the public. The full schedule of events is available on the Open House website. A printable program of the day’s activities will be available on the website the week before the event.