Hundreds of curious children and families filled the hallways of the Louisiana Art and Science Museum during its third annual Engineering Day on Saturday. 
The event featured 24 stations with displays ranging from 3-D printers that produced bracelets in real time to ExxonMobil’s solar-powered miniature racecars. The variety of exhibits promoted curiosity and exploration as kids stared wide-eyed at cancer testing demonstrations and asked questions about bridge building.
Sheree Westerhaus, LASM’s Engineering Day coordinator, said the museum started the event in 2014 to explore the connection between art and science through engineering and design. Though the event is targeted at children, an appreciation of science and engineering is not limited by age, she said. 
“Parents and grandparents with these children really have as much fun at it as anyone else,” Westerhaus said. “And that’s what museums want to inspire — lifelong learning.”
Inspiring a love of STEM subjects at an early age is crucial, Westerhaus said,
because it helps children see that science and engineering are fun, not frightening, and it surrounds them every day. 
University students were key in bringing a fun spirit to the event and engaging the children, Westerhaus said. 
Of the 24 groups present, nine were either directly from the University or connected to it, and dozens of University students manned exhibits and served as guides throughout the day.
“It’s priceless to watch the LSU students engaging with our visitors and
inspiring them,” she said. 
Physics junior Irene Vargas-Salazar said exposing children to the fun side of science helps dispel potential prejudices surrounding who goes into STEM fields and what they do. Many children assume physics is limited to solving mathematical equations, but making the activities relatable helps open their eyes and spark interest, she said. 
After getting them interested in science and engineering, the volunteers encouraged attendees to consider a future in STEM for themselves. 
Computer science sophomore Leslie Morgan said breaking down children’s sense of limitations, especially girls’,  is one of her personal missions. The TigerRacing Formula SAE team member said events like Engineering Day show children their dreams are achievable. 
“Events like this really draw a lot of different kids in from a lot of different socioeconomic backgrounds,” Morgan said. “It’s really great for kids to see events like this because not only do they not know that it exists, but they don’t know that it’s so easy to become involved in this.” 
Many children think racing is limited to wealthy men with sports cars and don’t realize becoming involved is as simple as attending the University and joining the TigerRacing  team, she said. Allowing them to get in the car, ask questions and interact with team members shows them that anything is possible. 
Aside from encouraging personal potential, the event also explored engineering’s potential as a diverse and creative field. 
Andrew Pfalz, a second year Ph.D. student in the University’s Experimental Music and Digital Media program, said his field explores new and different ways to create music through technology. While engineering is a largely analytical field, Pfalz said, it can also be a creative endeavor.
“It’s especially important for them to realize that just because they’re in a STEM field doesn’t mean they can’t be creative,” Pfalz said.

Gallery • 10 Photos

Greta Jines

Jake, 11, participates in a physics demonstration presented by the LSU Society of Physics Students Saturday, April 2, 2016, during Engineering Day at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum.