Macromolecules Innovation Institute

The Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute is excited to announce the Annual Youth Experiencing Science (YES) Program, a K-12 Outreach effort. This program is held in conjunction with the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Virginia Tech as a part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates in the Polymeric Nanostructures for Delivering Drugs and Imaging Agents.

 

The REU program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

 

During the YES program, middle school students from southwestern Virginia teamed with SURP mentors to work in areas at the forefront of scientific research. The YES science and engineering projects were developed around the topics of:
 

1. Drug encapsulation for improved therapies;

2. Synthesizing polymers for drug delivery;

3. Fluids responsive to magnetic fields; and

4. Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles. 

 

The downtown merchants of Blacksburg provided space on the Community Stage for the public to see the demonstrations and visit with the teams at the annual "Steppin Out".