Discovery Festival 2024 Exhibits

New Mexico Operations (NMO) Managed by Honeywell

New Mexico Operations Managed by Honeywell is the title sponsor of Big Brothers Big Sisters Discovery Festival 2024. Inquisitive minds have been the driving force behind NMO's success for more than 125 years. Their STEM programming focuses on inspiring and preparing the next generation of engineers from elementary through graduate school.

Bernalillo County (BernCo)

Bernalillo County is bringing a full STEAM experience to students in two parts! Fire and Rescue, Public Works, and Keep NM Alive will be in attendance.

PUBLIC WORKS: Both the engineering and construction programs develop and improve county roads and utilities through acquisition and management of right of way, design, and construction of roadway, bridges, drainage and utility systems. The sections provide programming of future improvements and engineering studies as needed to provide quality customer service and maximize the effects of funds available by identifying infrastructure projects necessary to meet the needs in developing areas of the county. The programs utilize a `cradle-to-grave' concept whereby the project team stays with the project and manages its projects completely through the construction phase.

Public Works will be using small scale construction trucks to show what is used in the development of our construction projects.

FIRE AND RESCUE: AFR responded to 97,404 calls in 2023, making this department one of the busiest in the nation. Albuquerque Fire Rescue, established June 1, 1900, has the highest possible rating, Class 1, from the Insurance Service Office. AFR has 22 fire stations, 760 full-time firefighters and 39 civilian personnel. The expectations of AFR have remained consistent in the face of ever-increasing call volume and the perpetual broadening scope of our service to the community with Albuquerque's explosive growth.

KEEP NM ALIVE: In early 2022 Bernalillo County began a fentanyl awareness initiative after noticing a menacing trend of Fentanyl related deaths in our state. After reviewing what was happening nationally, we, from the onset, knew that this issue needed much more attention than what could be provided by Bernalillo County itself. With that thought in mind, Bernalillo County partnered with the City of Albuquerque and other local, state, and federal governmental entities, treatment providers, law enforcement agencies, and community members, thus giving birth to the keepNMalive campaign.

PNM

PNM supports organizations and educational programs that develop local talent and skills to drive current and future work force readiness. We focus on programs that promoteliteracy, improve high school graduation rates, youth leadership and workforce development skills related to the energy industry.

Last year, PNM will be hosted their "Light Bike" activity which consists of a stationary bicycle which can be connected to either a string of incandescent or LED light bulbs.

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

Explore naturally occurring magnetic field phenomena, observe how superconductors expel magnetic fields, and investigate the electrical and magnetic forces produced by an electric current. Your students will use a magnetic field to lift paperclips; explore floating ring magnets, levitating magnets, and electromagnets; and build a simple motor and ring launcher.

New Mexico Gas Company

New Mexico Gas employees team members across the state to actively, safely support NewMexico's energy future. In meeting this goal NMGC has team members with expertise inEngineering, Mathematics, Accounting, Safety, Construction and Maintenance.

Water Authority

Water Authority is responsible to supply drinking water for the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, and clean used water before returning it to the river, to be used by populations downstream.

Last year, multiple demonstrations were be available: from figuring the total resulting water from a leaky faucet; a "wastewater" cleaning; a density demonstration; a song for how to clean water called "my name is Jack"; and an activity which helps people visualize available drinking water called "A drop in the bucket", and coloring books.

Project ECHO

Around the world, people lack access to life-saving knowledge and expertise.

With Project ECHO, we know a world where life-saving best practices are available to every person, no matter their circumstance, is possible. Project ECHO’s revolutionary model provides training and mentorship to transform and sustain strong health systems where every person has fast access to the highest quality health care.

Speakers

Dr. Suma George Cardwell

Dr. Suma George Cardwell is a Principal Member of Technical Staff in the Center for Computing Research at Sandia National Laboratories. She has over ten years of experience in neuromorphic computing, experience in digital/analog system design, IC design, and developing neural algorithms.

Her current research focuses on neuromorphic computing, event-based processing, co-design of hardware and machine learning algorithms, AI-enhanced approach to microelectronics, and applications of heterogeneous systems from HPC to the edge.

Craig Kief

In this presentation Mr. Kief (COSMIAC Director of Innovation) will present on the current space activities being performed at UNM. This will start by explaining some of the difficulties of building systems and surviving in space. It will then proceed with some of the projects and spacecraft UNM is working on these days as well as where we believe the space world is headed in the next few years. It will be presented at a level that anyone can learn from.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)

As a multidisciplinary national laboratory and federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), Sandia accomplishes tasks that are integral to the mission and operation of our sponsoring agencies b anticipating and resolving emerging national security challenges innovating and discovering new technologies to strengthen the nation’s technological superiority. Sandia will be bringing their robotic dog and talking about AI machine learning.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)

ASRT will be display some cool X-ray images! Students will be able to explore the world of radiographic anatomy firsthand. They will also have an x-ray tube, human bones, and historical radiation protection equipment for students to see how far the science of radiology has come. 

TechSource, Inc.

TechSource supports a number of national contracts for the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration regarding nuclear deterrance. TechSource helps with the national and global safe. TechSource plans to conduct a science experience at our booth (blowing up a balloon through carbon dioxide using vinegar and baking soda).

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

DTRA provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the Department of Defense, the United States Government, and international partners to Deter strategic attack against the United States and its allies; Prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and Prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict.

Last Year:

DTRA will be showcasing multiple activities including:
Display 1: A high-speed camera will be used to demonstrate how to estimate the velocity of an object that has been dropped or rolled by determining the relation between elapsed time and distance traveled. Display 2: A high-speed thermal imaging camera will be used to demonstrate energy efficient light bulbs. This camera will prove how infrared light can be used to measure heat loss from three different types of light bulbs, including a filament, a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), and a light-emitting diode (LED). Display 3: The DTRA Team will setup a 3D laser scanner/printer to allow students to manipulate images while scanning small objects. DTRA will explain how this technology works and how it is used across multiple industries. Display 4: A software defined radio will be used to display radio waves received by a small low frequency antenna. This antenna will demonstrate how a transmitter turns electrical signals into radio waves and then received by a receiving antenna.

Dekker

We are an architecture firm and the need for great architecture is stronger today than it has ever been, but the role of the architect has changed. It’s no longer enough to design beautiful buildings or change the silhouette of a city. Great architecture involves a deeper engagement with the people involved in creating a building, with the communities they will be a part of, and being a conduit between them all. It requires a broader knowledge of industries, technology and culture. It means being more attentive and more empathic, and preventing risk from falling through the cracks. Our designs become others’ futures. So, we don’t stop at design.
Both art and science, architecture is a practice that is never perfected. Instead, those of us dedicated to its craft know ours is a never-ending endeavor to design better, enduring solutions for the people who need them. And those needs are changing. Tomorrow’s answers will look different, but how we find them will always come from Architecture in Progress.

UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center

The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Research Training and Education programs provide learning opportunities for students to explore Cancer-STEM and STEM-H pathways including immunology, virology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, neurology, and more in hands-on, project-based learning environments. They will host activities about cell biology, neurons, and the importance of healthy diet and exercise in cancer prevention.

U.S. Forest Service

The Forest Service manages over 193 million acres of the nation’s forests and grasslands. Our jobs are as diverse as the landscapes we manage. We have a wide range of S.T.E.A.M.careers in field like science communication, wildlife biology, forestry, archaeology and engineering.

Last Year:

We will learn about fire ecology, by making predictions about fire behavior. There will be three trays that model different fuel properties, students will use post-it notes to make predictions about what will happen. We will watch short videos of the trays burning after predictions have been made and learn terminology. These hands-on investigations will help students better understand where we live and explore how fire can impact our environment. We believe that in a time of increased fire activity it is important for students to understand the complexity of wildland fire management and the role fire plays in our lives.We will also have opportunities for career exploration, through hands-on engagement with career trunks, career cards, and career quizzes.

Office of the Medical Investigator-OMI

The Office of the Medical Investigator investigates any death in NM that is sudden, violent, untimely, unexpected or the cause of death is unknown. The office determines the cause and manner of death on these cases and provides a formal death certificate.

Last year, fingerprinting was demonstrated and students were given the opportunity to fingerprint and view through a magnifying glass.

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement of New Mexico is dedicated to helping young people reach economic success. JA programs teach vital skills in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship through age appropriate curriculum for K-12 Students. They will be exploring financial literacy topics.

CNM School of Nursing

Our mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and compassion needed to provide exceptional healthcare services. We are committed to fostering excellence in our students, ensuring the highest standards of patient care. Through a dedicated and innovative approach, we prepare our students to meet the ever-evolving needs of the healthcare industry while instilling the values of empathy, integrity, and professionalism.

UNM School of Engineering

The UNM School of Engineering is the highest-ranked engineering program in New Mexico, and the only Carnegie R1 (highest reseacrh activity) university in the state, putting it in the same class as MIT, Standford, Purdue and other well-respected engineering programs in the country. UNM is a member of the Sandia Academic Alliance. They will have a variety of demos at their booth regarding flood infrastructure and other engineering concepts.

UNM School of Pharmacy

The UNM College of Pharmacy is the only pharmacy school in the state of NM. Our educational programs set up our students for success in paving the way in pharmacy innovation and practice.

UNM School of Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy program vision involves preparing physical therapists as movement specialists and leaders to fulfill essential roles within interprofessional collaborative teams which serve the diverse communities of New Mexico.

The mission of the program is to develop highly skilled and compassionate doctors of physical therapy who optimize the human experience of New Mexico communities by enhancing movement and function through evidence-based practice.

Explora

Explora mission: creating opportunities for inspirational discovery and the joy of lifelong learning through interactive experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. They will set up a "mini-Explora" with a variety of hands-on, interactive STEAM exhibits.

UNM Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment through shared vision and responsibility. We serve as an integrating force to create a more inclusive community drawing upon the rich cultures throughout New Mexico and globally to stimulate new ideas and advance inclusive excellence through our diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We stand against systemic racism and advocate for social justice as we continuously strive to advance our mission in support of the greater community.

We are committed to growing New Mexico’s diverse health care workforce in partnership with communities across New Mexico to create sustainable K-20, STEM-H educational health careers opportunities for the diverse youth of New Mexico.

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc

Your students will learn about the 4 forces of flight (thrust, lift, weight, and drag) and have the opportunity to put the newfound knowledge to the test on our portable flight simulators. Have you got what it takes to fly? Let's find out!

Fly Boyz

Fly Boyz specializes in Drone and Aerial services in marketing and events, focusing on real estate and events. Fly Boyz has a broader focus on education in the aerospace industries, from ballooning and planes to space travel.

Pursuit Systems

Pursuit Systems was formed on behalf of the world’s most ambitious and extraordinary filmmakers. By combining advanced engineering, technical prowess and massive amounts of horsepower, we’ve enabled today’s creative visionaries to capture breathtaking and never-before-seen footage of all types.

Directors, cinematographers, and technicians have trusted Pursuit Systems to help them realize their vision for some of the world’s most famous high-performance feature films, television commercials and all things live action.

STEAM at Work 4 Kids

TEAMatWork4Kids.org is a website that explores the rich diversity of people and careers in STEAM. The website consists of interviews of interesting people doing fascinating work in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.  Participants will spin a wheel and answer questions about STEAM careers!

American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.

Albuquerque Civic Engagement

The mission of Albuquerque Civic Engagement is to increase civic participation of Albuquerque residents by creating and promoting volunteer opportunities, making city government more accessible, and empowering people to contribute to the decision making that affects their lives.