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Maryland Day 2021 Goes Virtual with "Engineering Is Awesome!" Show

Maryland Day, the University of Maryland’s annual celebration, returns on Saturday, April 24, 2021. You are invited to enjoy a day of learning, fun and discovery—online.

Join the A. James Clark School of Engineering for our "Engineering Is Awesome!" show. Watch our video preview and check back at 11:26 a.m. on Saturday to learn how to extract DNA from strawberries, test the sturdiness of LEGO structures, and design a boat using aluminum foil. Materials for the three experiments are listed below.

Engineering is Awesome! Materials List

Ready to do some engineering with household items? Here's what you'll need to follow along during our demonstrations.

Extracting DNA from Strawberries

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp dish detergent
  • 2 coffee filters
  • 1 cup
  • 3-4 strawberries (with stems and leaves removed)
  • 2 plastic ziplock bags
  • 2-3 tbsp cold rubbing alcohol
  • 1 rubber band

Testing the Sturdiness of LEGO Structures

  • LEGOs, building blocks, or popsicle sticks
  • rocks or a heavy weight

Designing a Boat Using Aluminum Foil

  • aluminum foil
  • bathtub, sink, or large container of water
  • weighted objects like screws, nuts, bolts, and washers

Maryland Day Schedule

Published April 22, 2021