February 3, 2003

JASON XIV ENGINEERING EXTRAVAGANZA TO BE HELD AT BOISE STATE FEB. 5-7

The Boise State College of Engineering will host the JASON XIV Engineering Extravaganza Feb. 5-7, marking the second time the university has hosted the scientific exploration project for elementary students and their teachers. Live broadcasts from JASON’s From Shore to Sea project and various demonstration by Boise State engineering students will be held from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Boise State engineering complex throughout the three days.

From Shore to Sea will engage students and teachers in an exciting journey to explore the unique Channel Islands region of California. This area includes the Channel Islands National Park, the waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the densely populated California coastline and will serve as the "laboratory" for studying nature’s dynamic systems. The broadcasts will air at in Room 106 of Boise State’s Micron Engineering Center at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 5 and 6 and at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Feb. 7.

The bulk of the Engineering Extravaganza demonstrations will be held in the high bay area of the Morrison Civil Engineering Building. The events include the following:

• The Civil Engineering Club will demonstrate the West Point Bridge Design software, which allows students to design a bridge and then test to see if it would succeed or fail. Participants can review the components of their bridge to make modifications and improvements.

• A demonstration of Boise State’s wind tunnel, which tests aerodynamic shapes, lift and drag, how models of buildings behave in wind, and how air flows around scale models.

• The Mechanical Engineering Club will demonstrate the workings of a nitinol heat engine, a hydro turbine and a mechanical fish.

• The Electrical Engineering Club will present a robotics demonstration.

• The Boise State chapter of the Society of Women Engineers will have fun with liquid nitrogen as its members make ice cream.

After discovering the wreck of the Titanic, world-famous explorer and oceanographer Robert Ballard received thousands of letters from students around the world who wanted to go with him on his next expedition.

In order to bring the thrill of discovery to millions of students worldwide, Dr. Ballard founded the

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JASON Project, a year-round scientific expedition designed to excite and engage students in science and technology and to motivate and provide professional development for teachers. The JASON Project has been praised as the leader in distance learning programs and continues to expand its reach by adding more components to the project experience.

The JASON Project components include scientific exploration, curriculum, online systems, teacher training and live broadcasts

Related JASON Project events will be held at the Discovery Center of Idaho.

JASON is made possible by a grant from the Office of Naval Research and the Bechtel Corporation, and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and Education and Research Initiatives Department at Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.

To register or additional information contact Vicki Crossland at 426-4432.

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Vicki Crossland

College of Engineering

426-4432

Bob Evancho

University Relations

426-1643

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