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Open House 2009

Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th

The faculty and staff of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology cordially invite teachers, counselors, prospective students, and parents to learn more about Old Dominion's Engineering and Technology programs and facilities through our Open House and Design Contests.

ODU Students: Sign up to volunteer for the Open House.

Friday's Open House

Friday's event is intended to introduce secondary school students to the field of engineering.  Engineering lab tours will provide the opportunity for attendees to witness demonstrations of the exciting ongoing research at the college.  Representatives from professional and student engineering clubs and societies will be present, as well as student projects, such as the Mini Baja Buggy and Scale Formula One Racer.

Friday's tours will depart at 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am, and 10:30 am.  Tours have limited space, so it is critical that you pre-register.  Please register by Friday, January 30, 2009.

To register online, click here.

For specific tour related questions, please contact Beverly Forbes, Director of Experiential Education for the Career Management Center, at (757) 683-5341 or via email at bforbes@odu.edu.

Saturday's Schedule of Events

8:00 am - 8:30 am Registration/Check-in
8:30 am - 11:00 am Design Competitions
8:30 am - 11:00 am Hands-on Activities
11:00 am - 1:00pm Lunch
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Academic and Professional Development Panel
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Keynote Speaker and Luncheon
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Awards Ceremony

Design Competitions
On Saturday, several engineering and technology design competitions will be held for middle and high school students.  These contests, while designed to be appropriate for your students' ages, will test their inventiveness and skills.  Competitions have limited space, so it is critical that you pre-register.  You can register online or download and mail the registration form.  For competition details and rules, click here.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each contest.

Middle School Design Competitions

  • Individual Competitions
    • Egg Drop
    • Model Span Bridge 
    • Orienteering
    • Paper Airplane Toss
    • Impromptu Competitions
      • Various Creative and Estimating Exercises - No prior preparation required
  • Team Olympics
    • Engineering Obstacle Course
    • Orienteering
    • Ring Glider Toss
    • Tallest Freestanding Building

High School Design Competitions

  • Baby Baja
  • Egg Drop
  • Electric Boat
  • Model Span Bridge
  • Personal Piloted Vehicle
  • Rube Goldberg Device

Womengineering

On Saturday, the Batten College of Engineering and Technology will continue its tradition of promoting the engineering industry to young girls and women.  There will be activities for the attendees to experience engineering first-hand.  Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to hear a panel discussion composed of current students, faculty and industry partners.  The discussion is geared to exposing them to the journeys that each of these women encountered in engineering and technology.

Contact Information

Tours and contests have limited space so it is critical that you register.  Preference will be given to those with confirmed reservations. Please register by Friday, January 30, 2009.

Old Dominion University
Kaufman Hall, Room 238
Norfolk, VA 23529-0236
Phone 757-683-6363
Fax 757-683-5344
Email: engineer@odu.edu