Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Expo

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Expo at UW-Platteville is where current college students and faculty share their projects and open their lab spaces and classrooms to the public for interactive demonstrations, exhibits, workshops, and contests.

Youth Participants

The STEM Expo is open to students in fifth through twelfth grade. Participants will experience science, technology, engineering, and mathematics up close through more than 50 hands-on activities, all designed to provide a glimpse into the exciting world of STEM!

Register to Attend

UW-Platteville dining at Bridgeway Commons will be open for students during the STEM Expo. Lunch will be available at a cost of $10, and payment can be made either by cash or card. Additionally, student organizations will host food sales, featuring items such as grilled cheese, walking tacos, baked goods, and more.

Professor giving chemistry demonstration during UW-Platteville STEM Expo

Contests and Competitions

The STEM Expo has organized several contests and competitions for K-12 student participants to highlight the excitement and challenges of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In most cases, an entry form and fee are required to participate, and students must spend time prior to Expo day preparing for the contests. In some cases, they can choose to participate on-the-spot on Expo day.

Model Bridge Contest

Contestants will design and construct a two-dimensional bridge structure capable of spanning 19 inches. Each bridge must be made of UW-Platteville supplied balsa wood ($8) and meet required specifications. Bridges will be tested to determine load-carrying capacity by adding weight to the point of breaking. The bridge that demonstrates the highest load-carrying capacity per unit weight is the winner.

Bridge Kit Order Form
Pioneer 600 Car Race

The Pioneer 600 is a contest for high school students. Each contestant constructs and races a battery-powered car. Each car must utilize a UW-Platteville-supplied kit ($8.00) and meet required specifications. The car that travels 20 feet (600 cm) in the least amount of time is the winner! Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place. In addition, awards are given for the most innovative design and best-looking car.

Complete Rules and Car Kit Order Form
Engineering Physics Scope-Out Challenge

Stop by the Engineering Physics Telescope Challenge and use your ingenuity to build a two-lens telescope from a box of components. Correctly identify a distant object with your telescope and win a t-shirt! You do not need to sign up in advance; just stop by Busby Hall Room 243 on Expo day.

Guidelines

Scavenger Hunt

The scavenger hunt is a fun activity that is part of the STEM Expo. It helps students stay focused and make the most of the Expo experience.

The scavenger hunt consists of a list of questions that can be answered by visiting different activities, exhibits, presentations, and demonstrations at the Expo. Teachers are encouraged to edit the scavenger hunt questions to cover a desired breadth or depth of topics.

Involvement Opportunities

The STEM Expo would not be possible without the involvement of current UW-Platteville students. Active participation is also open to companies and organizations. All projects and events must be pre-registered and approved. Please view details and registration information.

Company Sponsor

Register your company to host an event at the STEM Expo. Be ready to provide a captivating title for your activity, a concise description suitable for middle and high school students, preferred building and room details, contact information, a representative photo of your project, space requirements, safety considerations, duration of the demonstration, engaging scavenger hunt questions for middle and high school students, and the target age group for your project.

Submit your company Project or Exhibit
UW-Platteville Student

There are several ways you can get involved, either individually, with friends, or with your student organization. Please note that all of these opportunities require pre-registration and approval.

Host a Project

Sign up your organization to host a project for the STEM Expo. Be prepared to share a "catchy" title of your activity, a brief description suitable for middle and high school students, building and room preference, contact details, a photo representing your project, space requirements, safety considerations, time length of the demonstration, scavenger hunt questions for middle and high school students, and the targeted age for your project.

Submit a Project or Exhibit

Sell Concessions

Sign up your student organization to sell concession sales during the event.

Sign up for Food Sales

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great opportunity for UW-Platteville students who wish to be involved in the STEM Expo but are not part of a specific project or exhibit.

Register to Volunteer

Thank you

Each year, students and staff from many UW-Platteville departments, programs, and student organizations throughout the College of EMS participate in making the Expo a success. The Expo Committee would like to thank these areas for their contributions.