Can you walk on water? Make ice cream in 60 seconds? Make a magnet float in mid-air with no strings attached?

One of the largest Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) educational events ever held in northeastern Minnesota is coming to the Iron Range. On Friday and Saturday Oct. 3-4, 2014, Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers host the Iron Range Mind Trekkers STEM Showcase at Miners Memorial Building in Virginia, Minnesota.

This showcase will offer more than 100 hands-on STEM-related activities designed to inspire youth to explore the excitement of STEM.

On Friday, Oct. 3, more than 1,800 sixth grade students from 22 area schools will attend a sixth grade field trip day during one of two sessions. The first session is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the second is from noon to 2:30 p.m. Reservations for the sixth grade field trip day are full.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, the showcase is open to the public. Students of all ages, parents, grandparents, families and teachers are invited. Admission and parking are free. Concessions will be available on-site.

Michigan Tech’s nationally acclaimed Mind Trekkers science and engineering road show exposes students to the WOW! of STEM and gets them started on the path to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Mind Trekkers has for several years hosted STEM showcases across the nation. At the Iron Range Mind Trekkers STEM Showcase, Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers students act as near-peer role models for the young participants in conducting fast-paced, innovative STEM-related activities.

Along with Mind Trekkers students, Iron Range Engineering and Itasca Community College Engineering students will be conducting hands-on STEM-related activities. 

FIRST Robotics and FIRST Lego League teams from northeastern Minnesota schools will be demonstrating robots.

Hands-on STEM activities will also be hosted by a variety of organizations and businesses, including the Science Museum of Minnesota, Soudan Underground Physics Lab, Great Lakes Aquarium, Laurentian Environmental Learning Center, Long Lake Conservation Center, Range Astronomy Club, International Wolf Center, Natural Resources Research Institute, Range Radio Control Club, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife, Material Advantage of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

Applied Learning Institute (ALI) students from area schools will exhibit and operate their school-built ALI projects.

Area businesses, companies and colleges, including Mesabi Range College, Hibbing Community College, Rainy River Community College, Hibbing Taconite, Mesabi Nugget, Mining Resources, PolyMet Mining Co., and United States Steel, will also conduct hands-on STEM activities.

Visit the Mind Trekkers website.