Field trips
School groups and youth organizations are invited to try their hand at an engineering challenge, tour a research laboratory, learn about the college experience from our undergraduates, and more through customized field trip experiences.
Request an experience below by filling out the CSE Field Trip Request Form.
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering department tours
- Enjoy tours, demos, and hands-on activities for groups interested in bioproducts and biosystems engineering, including: biofuels, nanotechnology, environmental sensors biofilters, food safety, energy systems, water quality, mycology, and much more!
- Grades 6-12
Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering department tours
- Tour an award-winning facility seven floors underground with laboratories studying safe and sustainable structures, innovative transportation systems, and fluid flow that address society's challenges like climate change, population growth, and renewable energy. Participate in hands-on engineering demonstrations and activities that showcase structural stability during earthquakes, soil liquefaction "quick-sand", and water treatment for modern and developing countries.
- Grades K-12
Center for Transportation Studies tours
- Tours and demos for high school groups interested in transportation; includes the Minnesota Traffic Observatory, HumanFIRST Program, and Intelligent Vehicles Laboratory.
- Grades 9-12
Digital Technology Center tours
- Tours of the Digital Technology Center include robot, virtual reality, 3D visualizations, and usability labs.
- Grades 6-12
Earl E. Bakken Medical Device Center tours
- Tours of this interdisciplinary research facility where students and faculty work on developing innovative new medical devices; facilities include prototyping labs and a video portal to watch live surgeries.
- Grades 9-12
Energy and U shows
- These fun and interactive shows use explosions, flames, flying pop bottles, music, and dancing to help youth learn the first law of thermodynamics, the scale of world energy use, and the significant energy challenges that we face.
- Grades 3-6
- Organizer: Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Visit the Energy and U website.
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics
- The Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics is dedicated to bringing the excitement of modern astrophysical research to the Minnesota public. See the historic telescope located in the John T. Tate Hall dome; try a hands-on demonstration; or attend a presentation on topics that might include the solar system, galaxies, the formation of the Universe, or the history of astronomy.
- Grades K-12
Minnesota Geological Survey
- Tour the Minnesota Geological Survey to learn about the daily work of geologists and explore their collections of geologic maps and rock and mineral specimens.
- Grades 6-12
Minnesota Nano Center tours
- Tours of the Nano Center, including the new state-of-the-art cleanroom, and demonstrations on the science and applications of nanotechnology.
- Grades 9-12
Physics Force shows
- Group of wild and crazy physicists who use highly visual and entertaining stunts to teach the elements of their science; annual Physics Circus shows in the winter, performances at the State Fair and many other venues.
- Grades K-12
- Organizer: School of Physics and Astronomy
- Visit the Physics Force website.
Shepherd Robotics Lab tours
- Come see robots in action and participate in hands-on activities at our new state-of-the-art robotics research labs in Shepherd Laboratories. The 20,000-square-foot space includes nine flexible robotics labs and various work spaces—one lab is two-stories high to accommodate flying robots; other labs are home to underwater and ground robots.
- Grades: K-12
