Events Vertical

American Solar Challenge Display Day

Catch nearly 20 collegiate solar cars lined up right on campus! For the first time ever, the University of Minnesota will serve as the official starting line for the American Solar Challenge — a grueling, 1,500-mile cross-country solar car race. Before the teams launch their journey across America, Northrop Mall will transform into a public showcase of cutting-edge engineering and sustainability. Come meet the student engineering teams from across the nation, check out their custom-built vehicles up close and learn more about the future of solar-powered transportation at this free community event.

Be sure to stop by the CSE table while you're exploring! Chat with our alumni board volunteers and scan our quick check-in code to claim an exclusive alumni giveaway.

Event Highlights and What to Expect

The Showcase and Solar Charging: Teams will be actively charging their vehicles. Their solar arrays will be pointed up toward the sun, giving visitors a fantastic, rare view of the intricate inner workings and cockpit interiors of the cars.
Live Car Judging (Afternoon - Timing TBD): Catch the official ASC judges in action during the afternoon. The judges will be testing and scoring practical design and utility elements, evaluating factors like driver comfort, accessibility and how much cargo or luggage can fit inside the multi-occupant vehicles.
Amenities: Public restroom facilities will be open and accessible right next to the mall inside Walter Library.

Parking and Transportation

Public parking is conveniently located in several parking ramps just a short walk from Northrop Mall:

Church Street Garage (very limited capacity), 80 Church St. SE
Art Museum Garage, 333 East River Parkway
East River Road Garage, 385 East River Parkway
Washington Avenue Ramp, 501 Washington Ave. SE

For maps and more information on parking locations and pricing, visit the Parking and Transportation website.

Accessibility and Drop-Off: Guests with limited mobility or those requiring an accessible path to the mall can utilize the passenger drop-off areas along Pleasant St. SE (near Walter Library) or Pillsbury Drive SE (near the Tate Laboratory of Physics).

Skip the traffic and parking fees by taking public transit directly to the heart of campus:

Metro Green Line LRT: Exit at the East Bank Station. Northrop Mall is located just a 3-minute walk directly north of the station platform.
Metro Transit Buses: Dozens of local and express bus routes service the Washington Ave. and Union St. intersection or the Coffman Union turnaround, both steps from the event.

Inclement Weather Plan

Display Day is scheduled to take place rain or shine!

Minor Rain: The showcase will continue outdoors as planned on the sidewalks of Northrop Mall (though solar arrays may be covered for safety).
Severe Weather: The showcase will move entirely indoors to the University of Minnesota Field House (1800 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455).

Note: Official weather-related venue calls are determined by American Solar Challenge officials.

Can’t Make it to Campus?

If you are living outside the Twin Cities or are unable to join us on Friday afternoon, you can still champion our student engineers from afar!

Follow the Race: Keep up with live tracking, daily route standings and official weather updates by following @AmericanSolarChallenge on Facebook/Instagram.
Support the Team: Fuel the UMN Solar Vehicle Project's cross-country journey and help them cross the finish line by visiting the UMN Solar Vehicle Project Crowdfunding Campaign.

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Aleksey Cherman

Speaker: Aleksey Cherman

Title: Why Particles Don't Exist

Aleksey Cherman is an Associate Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy: I am a theoretical physicist working in the Nuclear Theory group at UMN. I am primarily focused on understanding the non-perturbative properties of relativistic quantum field theories. This means that I most often study the strong nuclear force and its many manifestations in nuclear physics and particle physics, because some of the most pressing questions about non-perturbative quantum field theory come from these areas.

Quantum field theory is an enormously powerful framework for understanding a huge range of phenomena in nature, ranging from condensed-matter systems one can explore in table-top experiments, to the high-energy particle physics explored in huge particle colliders, to the behavior of stars studied by astronomers.

Universe in the Park: Eastman Nature Center

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Representatives of the Institute will present a short (~20 min) outdoor public talk and slide show. Presentations cover a variety of astronomical topics such as: the history of matter, how astronomers "see," and a journey through our solar system. For the 2024 season, talks will be outdoors to ensure they are as safe as possible.

Afterwards, if weather allows, attendees have the opportunity to view the sky through multiple 8-inch reflecting telescopes, operated by the staff and provided by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics. Additionally, free star maps (e.g., www.skymaps.com) and instructions are provided. Throughout the evening, audience members are encouraged to ask questions and discuss topics ranging from backyard astronomy to the latest scientific discoveries.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Universe in the Park: Lake Maria State Park

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - James Kakalios

Speaker: James Kakalios

Title: A Tunnel Through Nothing

In 1926, Erwin Schrodinger published the famous equation that bears his name. This equation accounts for a wide range of strange atomic phenomena - but perhaps none is so puzzling as Quantum Tunneling. If two metals are separated by the vacuum of empty space from each other, then even if the electrons in one metal lack the energy to arc and jump the gap between them, the Schrodinger equation predicts that there is a probability that they will nevertheless show up in the second metal. This phenomenon is not just a theoretical curiosity - but the chips in your smartphone and computer memory in your laptop rely on this effect. Quantum tunneling also accounts for some forms of radioactivity and more importantly - the sun wouldn't shine without it!

James Kakalios is a Taylor Distinguished Professor and Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy. His experimental research ranges from the nano to the neuro, and he is active in outreach and public engagement.

Universe in the Park: Tettegouche State Park

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Universe in the Park: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Fiona Burnell

Speaker: Fiona Burnell

Title: Fun with Quantum Computing

Theoretical physicist Fiona Burnell, is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy, and the inaugural Ed Tang Professor. When two sub-atomic particles such as electrons are brought close to each other, they can be put in a quantum entangled state. In this condition, a measurement on one electron will automatically alter the outcome of a measurement of the second electron – even if the two electrons are separated by several miles! Many large high-tech companies as well as universities are working to exploit particle entanglement to develop quantum computers. These computers will be able to solve various problems that would take conventional supercomputers many lifetimes to work out. From the development of new pharmaceuticals to the security of financial transactions over the internet, quantum computers, using a phenomenon that Albert Einstein dismissed as “spooky action at a distance,” have the potential to have a large impact on society.

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Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Martin Greven

Speaker: Martin Greven

Title: Superconductors!

When most metals are cooled to very low temperatures, their resistance to the flow of an electrical current decreases, but then at a critical temperature, the resistance abruptly becomes zero! A current can now flow in the metal without any external applied voltage – and we call this material a Superconductor, a phenomenon that can only be understood using Quantum Mechanics. While previously believed to only apply to ordinary metals, forty years ago it was discovered that certain ceramics could also become superconductors – at temperatures much higher than observed in ordinary metals! If superconductivity could be observed at room temperature – the world would suddenly become a very different place! Martin Greven is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy whose research involves experimental condensed matter physics, and in particular, the fabrication and study of novel superconducting materials.

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Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - James Kakalios

Speaker: James Kakalios

Title: The Solid State

Here we are, in the 21st century, and yet we are still waiting for the jetpacks and flying cars that were promised in 1950s science fiction movies and 1960s comic books. Those movies and comic books thought that we would have a revolution in energy (needed to have a flying car), while what we got instead was a revolution in information. This information revolution was made possible by the development of semiconductor and solid state physics, which in turn was made possible by the discovery of Quantum Mechanics. James Kakalios is a Taylor Distinguished Professor and Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy. His experimental research ranges from the nano to the neuro, and he is active in outreach and public engagement. In this talk you'll learn how three "simple" ideas, developed 100 years ago, made solar cells, LEDs, transistors, lasers, glow-in-the-dark toys and MRIs possible.

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