Engineering Programs Inspiring the Community (EPIC) Lab

The EPIC Lab provides exciting, hands-on lessons in various topics each semester. This semester we will introduce 6th-8th graders to solar and water concepts. The lesson is the same for each session so choose which date works best with your schedule. This is a free service to the community provided by the College of Engineering. 

What EPIC Lab Offers 

Introduction to Engineering Presentation: UNR engineering students talk about what it’s like to be an engineering student and discuss the different types of engineering disciplines. 

High-Quality Instruction: Content is developed by University of Nevada, Reno engineering students. 

Hands-on Activity: Participants get the opportunity to be engineers and conduct an engineering experiment. 

Social Interaction: Participants will engage in discussions and icebreaker activities. 

Lessons will be available once to twice a month on a Saturday starting September 18th and ending December 4th. Click on one of the links to sign-up!

September 18th: Sibling Saturday! Are you a 6th-8th grader and have a 3rd-5th grade sibling? Join us for a fun morning on campus. 

October 2nd: Mother-Daughter Engineer Day! Let’s celebrate women in engineering. We’ll be conducting experiments and learning what it’s like to be a young woman studying engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno! 

October 16th: Bring a Friend! Do you and a friend have an interest in engineering? Bring a buddy along and learn about solar power and how to live off grid.

November 6th: Father-Daughter Day! Is your dad an engineer or are you a young woman interested in engineering? We'll spend the morning learning about different disciplines and solving problems using solar kits. 

December 4th: Intro to Engineering! Are you new to engineering, but not sure where to get started? Join us for an introduction to engineering presentation followed by engaging engineering activities.

Time: All labs run from 9:00am-11:00am.

Fall 2021 EPIC Lab Lessons

Solar Fan Investigation

Learn about the engineering design process through solar power! Students will be introduced to the basics of engineering design: writing a problem statement, brainstorming solutions, testing a model, and reflecting on those tests. This lesson involves a hands-on lab where students test a solar panel in a variety of scenarios.

Off Grid Living Investigation

This lesson begins with a solar power demonstration which introduces students to the concept of living off grid. Students then receive a lesson on how to use a decision matrix by defining criteria and constraints of a problem. To finish the lesson, students get to use a decision matrix to evaluate different off grid house options.

Recommended age group: 5th grade - 8th grade