Rain or Shine!
Free and open
to the public.
Exhibits – Partners 2022
TouchTomorrow acknowledges and appreciates our dedicated community and industry partners who are providing exciting opportunities for students of all ages to explore STEM.
The Cosmic Canvas
Ages: All Ages
Location: DCU Club
Presented by: Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc.
Discipline(s): Science, Space
Amateur and Professional astroimaging techniques & images displayed to help us better understand our universe & beyond. Youth STEM activities to challenge the mind – stop by and explore! Free handouts to all and chances for all youth to win spacey event prizes! (books, posters, space toys and puzzles!)
Ayer/Shirley Regional School District Robotics Program
Ages: All Ages
Location: Country Bank Area
Presented by: Ayer/Shirley Regional School District Robotics
Discipline(s): Robots
The Ayer/Shirley Regional School District robotics program includes activities for all grade levels from 2nd through 12th grade. Students participate in teams that design and build robots and compete with other teams throughout New England.
Boo Bubbles
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 13 – Field Side
Presented by: Battelle – NEON
Discipline(s): Animals, Biology, Science
I will be using dry ice to make “Boo bubbles” as a way to talk about how we use CO2 to catch mosquitoes as part of our research.
SPOT the Robot
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 11 – Field Side
Presented by: Boston Dynamics
Discipline(s): Engineering, Robots
Come see Boston Dynamics’ Spot the Robot in action. Kids can inspect and handle some robot parts, interact with our engineers, and watch videos of many robots in action.
Our Mission: To imagine and create exceptional robots that enrich people’s lives.
Interactive Doctor for a Day
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 3 – Field Side
Presented by: Boston Scientific
Discipline(s): Biology, Engineering, Science, Technology
Bridge Models
Ages: All Ages
Location: Craft Corner
Presented by: BSCES
Discipline(s): Engineering
Be an engineer and build a bridge using foam blocks and boxes!
Activities & Networking with the Central MA STEM Network (CMSN) Ecosystem
Ages: All Ages
Location: DCU Club – Jersey Wall
Presented by: Central MA STEM Network Ecosystem
Discipline(s): Chemistry, Engineering, Science
Come experience when science exhibits unexpected properties… metal that defies gravity, self-cleaning fabrics inspired by nature, the blue morpho butterfly that isn’t blue, and more! These captivating demos are part of the STEM Kits Lending Library available through the CMSN Ecosystem. Learn more about our STEM ecosystem, a partnership among colleges, in-school and out-of-school-time PreK-12 educators, companies, government, STEM organizations, and families. We support STEM learning, programs, workforce development, and STEM Week in Central Massachusetts.
Circuit Lab: Interactive Circuitry Classes For Kids
Ages: Elementary School (K-5)
Location: Concourse 6 – Field Side
Presented by: Circuit Lab
Discipline(s): Computer Science, Engineering, Robots
Circuit Lab is a local company that teaches electronics and computer programming classes for kids ages 5 to 14. Since 2015, we have offered classes at a variety of schools and recreation departments around Massachusetts. Come see what our innovative programs are all about, learn about upcoming class locations, and play with our interactive demonstration projects!
pH and Water Chemistry
Ages: Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8)
Location: Concourse 4 – Field Side
Presented by: Concord Water & Sewer
Discipline(s): Chemistry, Engineering, Science
pH is an important water chemistry parameter for drinking water treatment and for wastewater treatment. Exhibit looks at and experiments with pH for common household substances.
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 7 – Field Side
Presented by: Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Discipline(s): Animals, Biology, Engineering
Introduction to the world of veterinary medicine from the only veterinary school in New England.
Human Shaped Spacecraft
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 13 – Field Side
Presented by: David Clark Company
Discipline(s): Aerospace Engineering, Space, Technology
David Clark Company designs and manufactures space suits and other aerospace crew protective equipment for NASA, the USAF and the emerging commercial spaceflight industry. Try on space suit helmets, gloves and other components, and meet and learn from David Clark engineers and designers. Learn about why a space suit is far more than just clothing for extreme environments, but truly a human shaped spacecraft!
DCU and Financial Tech
Ages: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
Location: DCU Club – Field Side
Presented by: DCU *FESTIVAL SPONSOR
Discipline(s): Computer Science, Technology
Stop by to check out some of the technology used in the financial industry.
Chemistry Enables Electronics
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 15 – Field Side
Presented by: DuPont/E&I Marlborough
Discipline(s): Chemistry
Believe it or not, you have some of the same technology in your phone as the Perseverance rover on Mars! The electronics devices you use every day like your cell phone include a lot of high-tech materials made by DuPont Electronics. This sounds very complicated, but some materials are actually based on a chemical process involving photo sensitive chemistry and materials.
Launch It!
Ages: All Ages
Location: Plymouth Street
Presented by: EcoTarium
Discipline(s): Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, Physics
Embrace your inner aerospace engineer as you plan and build a rocket with simple materials, and then launch it under your own power. Use the engineering design process to re-design and re-test!
GBH
Ages: All Ages
Location: Craft Corner
Presented by: GBH *FESTIVAL SPONSOR
Discipline(s): STEM
Visit public media station GBH at the Craft Corner for take-home Design Squad design/build kits, offered throughout the day. We’ll also have information from NOVA Education about their resources and games. Families can find additional information about STEM activities on https://www.wgbh.org/foundation/stem-education.
Kosmic Kelly
Ages: Elementary School (K-5)
Location: Concourse 8 – Field Side
Presented by: Hands on Science with Kosmic Kelly
Discipline(s): Chemistry
Fizzy rainbow volcanoes, gaseous bubbling beakers, disappearing marbles and more!
STEM in Scouting
Ages: Elementary School (K-5)
Location: Hanover Deck
Presented by: Heart of New England Council BSA
Discipline(s): Engineering, Physics, Technology
Come experience our popular track with timers and adjustable cars. Visitors will make tuning adjustments and then do timed runs on the track to see the impact of changes on the performance of the car. There will also be interactive displays, showcasing the STEM activities that make up the scouting program. Learn about Scout’s BSA recruiting info and our STEM-NOVA program information.
LEGO Magnetic Levitation Cars
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 12 – Field Side
Presented by: LEtGO Your Mind STEM Programs
Discipline(s): Engineering, Science, Technology
Children will build LEGO Maglev cars. Then race them down an eight foot magnetic track.
National Guard Enhanced School Programs
Ages: High School (9-12)
Location: Suite 3
Presented by: MA National Guard School Programs
Discipline(s): Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Robots
The Massachusetts National Guard has established itself as a pioneer in STEM training, education, and outreach. We are proud to feature a catalog of curriculum-based STEM school programs designed specifically for Bay State students and offered to our communities at no cost. Our modern age is defined by science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Seminars include robotics, coding, cyber security, and vocational training.
Flying with MTU Aero Engine North America
Ages: All Ages
Location: Hanover Deck
Presented by: MTU Aero Engines North America
Discipline(s): Aerospace Engineering, Science, Technology
Learn about the aerospace industry; products used everyday by airplanes and technology! Design your own paper airplane and see how far it flies!
Reach Across the Stars with NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 9 – Concession Side
Presented by: NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Center
Discipline(s): 3D Printing, Science, Space
It takes a lot of energy to make an X-ray wave or photon. NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory detects X-ray emission from the scenes of explosions and collisions in space such as colliding black holes, galaxies and neutron stars, matter falling into black holes, and exploding stars. Come to the Chandra X-ray Observatory exhibit to learn how space satellites talk to their controllers and send data back to Earth. Through screen based hologram technology, explore the insides of stunning clouds of gas and dust left over from exploding stars. Explore the many ways we can translate this data of our high energy Universe – into pictures, holograms, 3D models, even music!
Engineering with Pioneer Robotics (FTC Team 12589)
Ages: Elementary and Middle School (K-8)
Location: Country Bank Area
Presented by: Pioneer Robotics (FTC Team 12589, Saint John’s High School)
Discipline(s): Engineering
Young engineers will have the opportunity to drive robots competitively on a small field and to learn some basic engineering skills involved in robotics.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Underwater ROV Exhibit
Ages: Elementary and Middle School (K-8)
Location: Concourse 10 – Concession Side
Presented by: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Discipline(s): Engineering
Join the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) volunteers as we explore the various types of buoyancy through challenges and testing of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). SeaPerch is an innovative program which leads students through the building and testing of a small, underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The SeaPerch program provides students with a hands-on learning experience which incorporates robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics. PNS will have a tank with ROVs ready for you to test drive as well as a variety of boat building challenges.
Chemical Reactions in Our Daily Lives
Ages: Elementary and Middle School (K-8)
Location: Plymouth Street
Presented by: ScienceLIVE at UMass Chen Medical School
Discipline(s): Biology, Chemistry, Science
Combination of hands-on activities (lemons, food coloring, and baking soda) with observation of other phenomena (i.e. cell respiration by observing yeast + sugar vs yeast + stevia). Everything will be safe to dispose in the trash and use without gloves. We will also have a cardboard head-cutout of our Emma RNA for students to take pictures with, as well as copies of our educational coloring book and stickers.
Science and Technology for the Soldier
Ages: Elementary and Middle School (K-8)
Location: Suite 4
Presented by: Soldier Center
Discipline(s): Engineering, Food, Science
Students can try on the latest in Military clothing and soldier protection. This includes helmets, backpacks, body army, vests, and footwear. There will also be Military rations on display to see the latest in food development such as MRE’s and Tube Foods that are used in the ISS (International Space Station). They will also learn the science behind parachute and airdrop technology. Science Behind the Soldier explains the science of protecting the Soldier in all environments with clothing, airdrop, food and shelter to provide the best quality of life in the field.
SolidWorks
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 6 – Concession Side
Presented by: SolidWorks
Discipline(s): 3D Design, Computer Aided Design, 3D modeling, Design Process
Learn about tools you can use to introduce young creatives to the world of 3D modeling, 3D design, and how you can be part of their journey.
Star Wars Alderaan Base
Ages: All Ages
Location: Gate D
Presented by: Star Wars Alderaan Base
Discipline(s): Robots
Jedi, Rebel Pilots, Troopers, Princesses and even Wookiees…. will be on hand to greet you at Touch Tomorrow! In addition to meeting your favorite Star Wars characters, you will see the amazing costuming quality as put forth by the Rebel Legion. Look for us outside of Gate D when you arrive.
AROUND THE BLOCK CHALLENGE
Ages: Elementary School (K-5)
Location: Concourse 6 – Concession Side
Presented by: STEM BEGINNINGS LLC
Discipline(s): Engineering
How easy is it to build a tower or a bridge or a house? What if you only had 50 blocks? What if every piece of block is exactly the same size and shape? You can’t use any connector, glue, or tape. Just blocks! Follow the Engineering Design Process to solve different building challenges using Kapla blocks: a tower that is at least 12 inches high; a house with at least 2 rooms; a staircase; a dome; a bridge; and more! Creativity + Ingenuity will be at work, as children build and create these awesome structures!
Hands-On Discoveries for Families
Ages: All Ages
Location: Craft Corner
Presented by: The Discovery Museum
Discipline(s): Physics
The Discovery Museum of Acton, MA brings hands-on science activities mirroring those found within the museum. Adults and children can work together on fun table-top STEM based activities such as paper helicopters and exploring magnets, engineering, light, and more.
Pollinator Power with Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Ages: Elementary School (K-5)
Location: Concourse 7 – Concession Side
Presented by: Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Discipline(s): Animals, Biology, Science
Explore the relationship between flowers and pollinators through hands-on activities and science investigations. Learn about the importance of pollinators and what dangers they are facing. Study flower and insect specimens, play pollination games, and plant your own native flowers to provide food and shelter for pollinators in your neighborhood.
Explore 4-H and STEAM
Ages: All Ages
Location: Craft Corner
Presented by: UMass Extension – 4 – HYDP
Discipline(s): Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Science
UMass 4-H invites you to stop by and try some hands-on activities in STEAM including computer science and spin art. We will also have information about our program and sample curriculum for youth agencies and schools to see what is available. With offices across the state from the Cape to Pioneer Valley, and even one next door in Auburn, it is easier to connect than you may have thought. If you’ve never heard about 4-H or think we just work with animals, we invite you to come see what we are all about.
Engineering is Everywhere
Ages: High School (9-12)
Location: Concourse 9/10 – Field Side
Presented by: University of Massachusetts Lowell
Discipline(s): 3D Printing, Aerospace Physics, Space, Sports, Sustainability, STEM
Today’s Engineers design the world and keep it running. Tomorrow’s Engineers will transform it. As an Engineering student, you get to re-awaken that “sense of wonder” we all had as a child. Dare to dream, endeavor to accomplish and achieve…..stop by and learn about Engineering opportunities at UMASS Lowell.
Engineering in Baseball
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 9/10 – Field Side
Presented by: University of Massachusetts Lowell Baseball Research Center
Discipline(s): Engineering, Sports
The UMass Lowell Baseball Research Center is a Center of Excellence for the Science and Engineering of Baseball for both experimental and analytical methods. Founded in 1999, the Center has worked to educate students in the field of Sports Engineering, while engaging with Sports Leagues and Associations and Sporting Goods Manufacturers to advance the scientific understanding and state of the art of sports equipment. The exhibit will showcase some of the engineering processes used to research and evaluate baseball equipment for leagues and allow participants to understand the science of the sports equipment they use in games.
Our Ocean. Our planet. Our future
Ages: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
Location: Concourse 10 – Concession Side
Presented by: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Discipline(s):
Participate with hands-on experiments and learn about the ocean science and engineering that goes on at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). WHOI is the world’s largest independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, engineering, and education. Its mission: to drive discovery and advance understanding of the ocean and its benefits to human society and the planet.
Worcester History
Ages: All Ages
Location: Craft Corner
Presented by: Worcester Historical Museum
Discipline(s): Engineering
A look at engineering, patents and ideas that have come out of Worcester – plus Robert Goddard returns for pictures!
Lego Mindstorm Robots with the Library
Ages: Middle School (6-8)
Location: Concourse 5 – Concession Side
Presented by: Worcester Public Library
Discipline(s): Computer Science, Robots
Worcester Public Library has lots of free coding, tech and STEM programs for kids and teens! Come see a demo of our Lego robots in action. Learn about the block coding used to bring them to life!
Worcester Public School Robotics
Ages: All Ages
Location: Country Bank Area
Presented by: Worcester Public School District
Discipline(s): Robots, STEM
The Worcester Public School District robotics program includes activities for all grade levels from 3rd through 12th grade. Elementary & High School Students participate in teams that design and build robots and compete with other teams thoughout our own city and beyond. Our middle school program just finished their first year using Neuromaker hand robots. Come play with us!!
Puff Mobiles
Ages: All Ages
Location: Craft Corner
Presented by: WTS-Boston TYOU & BSCES
Discipline(s): Engineering
Learn about renewable energy sources as you are challenged with building a wind-powered car! Test your creation and get your car to the finish line using as few puffs of air as possible!
Home Run Derby
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 9 – Concession Side
Presented by: Worcester Red Sox
Discipline(s): Sports, Technology
How many home runs can you hit in 90 seconds?! Experience what it is like to be up to bat at Fenway Park using Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headsets! Will you knock it out of the park?
104-5 XLO
Ages: All Ages
Location: Concourse 9 – Concession Side
Presented by: WXLO *FESTIVAL SPONSOR
Discipline(s): Music
Join 104-5 XLO, the official Radio Sponsor of TouchTomorrow for Music, Games and Prizes!