Looking to get kids interested in engineering? Host a Discover Engineering Family Day at an area museum or school. This presentation will walk you through all of the steps involved.

1. Creating a large-scale engineering
outreach event in your community
DiscoverE Family Day

2. It’s kids and the adults in their lives
exploring engineering.

3. It’s multiple activity stations with many
different hands-on engineering activities.

4. What Is DiscoverE Family Day?
It’s a local effort organized by engineering
volunteers and organizations.

5. It’s often held at a local museum.

6. Why Host a Family Day?
You’ll give kids (and their parents) the chance to:
Experience the wonders of engineering
Meet real engineers, technicians and
technologists
Learn that engineers are smart, fun
people who make the world a better place.

7. Host a Family Day in Your Area
This presentation outlines how to create your
own event, including:
The Power of Partners
Planning Committee
Event Format & Volunteers
Activities & Day of the Event
Promotion & More

8. The Power of Partners
Partners are key to developing a successful event.
They can help with:
Planning
Hosting hands-on activities
Recruiting volunteers
Promotion
Fundraising

9. The Power of Partners
Get Started
Make a list of potential partners.
Be sure to include engineering and
technology companies and societies.
Are museums on your partner list?

10. The Power of Partners
Why Museums?
They make a great event venue.
They are well-known in the community.
Their education/outreach staff might help
organize the event.

11. The Power of Partners
Why Museums?
They are connected to schools and
after-school programs.
They can help build audience.
They have a pool of volunteers.

12. The Power of Partners
What’s in it for Museums? They’ll:
Gain new partners in engineering
& technology
Get new resources
Bring in first-time visitors who will
return later

13. The Power of Partners
Contact potential partners and ask:
Do you want to participate?
What resources might you be able to provide?
Will you serve on the planning committee?
Who else should we invite to partner with us?

14. Planning Committee
Hold a planning meeting and discuss:
Who is the target audience?
What is the age range?
What does success look like?
What is the budget?
How long will the event last?

15. There are two ways to organize your
event:
Exhibitor model
Committee model
Event Format

16. Exhibitor model – A local group
‘owns’ an exhibit space.
Event Format

17. Exhibitor model
The planning committee recruits local groups to
organize a exhibit area. Exhibitors:
Decide the activity
Recruit volunteers to staff their exhibit
Provide the activity materials
Set up and break it down the activity
Event Format

18. Event Format
Committee Model – All activities are
organized by planning committee.

19. Committee Model
The committee will:
Select all of the activities
Recruit all of the volunteers
Provide all of the activity materials
Set up and break it down full event
Event Format

20. Secure a Venue
Local museums are wonderful locations, but not
the only one. Other options:
Malls
Universities
Companies
Parks
Schools

21. Secure a Venue
Talk to your venue, ask:
Will they host the event?
Can they donate the space?
What other costs are involved?
-Event insurance
-Damage deposit
-Security or event staff
-Cleaning fee

22. Secure a Venue
Can they assign a staff person to the
planning committee?
Will they provide:
-Tables
-Chairs
-Easels
-Internet access
-Trash cans

23. Select a Date
Target Date: Engineers Week in February
Research other area events that
might conflict with your event.
Does the museum host a similar event?
If yes, is there a way for your group to
participate?

24. Hands-on Activities
Engaging engineering
activities are the heart
of DiscoverE Family Day.

25. Tips
Offer a variety of hands-on
engineering activities.
Select activities that match your
target age group.
Hands-on Activities

26. Hands-on Activities
Tips
Look for activities that need minimal
directions.
Select activities that take as little as
5 to 10 minutes to complete.

27. Hands-on Activities
Find activities at www.DiscoverE.org

28. Calculating Supplies
Each activity should be prepared for 1/3
of the total number of expected visitors.
Example:
600 total visitors = 200 people
per activity.
Hands-on Activities

29. Signs
Print colorful signs for each station.
Plan how you will display the signs
- Table-top stands? Easels?
Use the DiscoverE Family Day logo
- Download the logo at www.discoverE.org

30. Volunteers
Each activity station should have at
least 2 volunteers at all times.
All committee members should work
the event.

31. Volunteers
Exhibitor model tip
While exhibitors furnish their own
volunteers, be prepared to supplement in
cases of no-shows or under-planning.

32. Volunteers
Training Volunteers
Are your volunteers and exhibitors
experienced in talking with children
and parents?
Encourage ALL volunteers to review the
Volunteer Event Tips sheet found in the pdf
section.

33. Volunteers
Before the event, tell exhibitors & volunteers:
What time to arrive and leave
Where to park
When and where to unload supplies
Details about lunch
- Is it provided? Bring your own?

34. Promoting Your Event
Consider these promotional options:
Television (PSA’s or ads)
Radio (PSA’s or ads)
Community and daily newspapers

35. Promoting Your Event
Consider these promotional options:
Posters and flyer in the community
Partners newsletters or mailings
Social Media
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram

36. Promoting Your Event
DISCOVERENGINEERINGFAMILYDAYDISCOVERENGINEERING FAMILYDAY
Saturday
February22
10am—4:30pm
FREE
Create a promotional postcard
See sample in pdf
section of training.

37. Day of the Event
Prepare the event space.
Set up a welcome table. Supply with:
A list or floorplan of all exhibits/activities
with brief descriptions.
Giveaways
Information about other engineering
events or programs.

38. Day of the Event
Prepare the event space.
Set up each Exhibitor/Activity Station in
own area.
Does the activity need a table or is it
better facilitated on the floor?
Make sure there is enough space
between activities.

39. Day of the Event
Prepare the event space.
Cover tables with colorful cloths.
Store extra supplies under the tables.
Have a central check-in point for exhibitors
and volunteers before the event opens to the
public.

40. Day of the event
Prepare informational packets for exhibitor or
activity area, include:
Name badges for all volunteers
Badges identifying engineers
Lost-child protocol
Floor map, list of all activities

41. Day of the Event
Directional signs
Post welcome and directional signs.
Display a large sign thanking and
listing sponsors.

42. Day of the Event
Photography
Assign one or two volunteers to take
pictures.
Post a sign at the entrance informing
visitors that photos are being taken.

43. Your Impact
Collect Information
It’s great for sponsors and for future
planning, find out:
How many visitors attended your event?
What did they think about the event?
See the sample exit survey in the pdf section
of the training.

44. After the event
Debrief with the planning committee.
Consider drafting an event report.
- Customize it for each sponsor.

45. After the event
Send thank-you letters to:
Volunteers
Venue staff
Head of museum or other venue
acknowledging staff
Exhibitors
Sponsors

46. Planning Resources
Go to www.DiscoverE.org for these
resources:
–DiscoverE Family Day Logo
–Activities
–Volunteer Event Tips
–Family Day Video
–Promotional postcard
–Sample Exit survey

47. More Questions?
Contact: info@discoverE.org
Our friendly staff can answer your
questions and put you in touch with
volunteers in your area.