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Carnival Day

IEEE Member Volunteers Needed
Cool Science Carnival Day — S.T.A.R. Mentor Signup

This is the sign-up form for mentors and volunteers in support of the Cool Science Carnival Day (3 Oct) and Festival (3-18 Oct).  Families interested in attending the follow-up sessions should use the parent signup page found here: 2026 Cool Science Carnival Day and Festival

 

Cool Science Carnival Day - S.T.A.R. Mentor Signup Form, 3 Oct 2026

This form is for selecting your preference when volunteering to help in this Cool Science Carnival Day, 27 Sep 2025. The IEEE Pikes Peak Section also plans to have follow-up meetings for those interested in deeper dives about the presented topics. They are held on 29 (Mon) Sep and 6 Oct (Mon) from 5 pm to 7 pm. If volunteers are interested in helping out on these days, please use and comment last text block on the form if you want to volunteer during those days as well.

Description
Please select your preferred time(s) to be a S.T.A.R. (STEAM-TEAMS Ambassador for outReach) on Carnival Day, Saturday, October 3. If the checkbox and label appear misaligned, rest assured—your selections are still recorded correctly. If the description appears below the checkbox instead of beside it (or checkbox above the text beside it), that’s a display issue only and won’t affect your sign-up.
Optional: Preparation Meetings for Volunteers and more demos for the public during Carnival Festival (27 Sep - 12 Oct): on, 5 pm - 7 pm). All are held at 21st Century Library, ENT Conference Room, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
You can also contact Dr John Santiago at john.santiago@ieee.org

Click on the purple checkbox (#3 for an overview) to see the multimedia content.  This serves as an example of an interactive hotspot.  You can enlarge to full  screen by clicking on the upper rightmost icon.

You can also visit our mini-websites at:  Snap Circuits  |  PhET Demos  | PhET Demos – Math | PhET Demos Photonics

The 2025 IEEE STEM Summit Virtual Booth was emulated.  Of the 2000+ participants, 33 emails were provided from 65 visitors yielding a 50% conversion rate.  The booth can be found here:  2025 IEEE STEM Summit Booth.

2025 IEEE S.T.A.R. Mentor Brief

When & Where

  • Event: Cool Science Carnival Day at UCCS (FREE, family STEAM festival)
  • Date/Time: Sat, Oct 3, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Chemistry Magic Show at 9:00 a.m. for early birds) Cool Science
  • Campus: University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy

Arrival & Check-In

  • Arrive: 8:00–9:00 a.m. for setup.  (I will do this, S.T.A.R. mentors will need just need to arrive on your hour of participation)
  • Check-in location: Exhibitor/Information Table on the University Center (UCTR) Lower Plaza (near KFL on the campus map). Staff/volunteers will guide you from there. Cool Science
  • Parking: All campus lots are FREE on weekends (observe any “No Parking” signs). Cool Science

Our Booth (IEEE Pikes Peak Section)

  • Building/Level: Osborne Center for Science & Engineering (OCSE), 2nd Floor, B-Wing
  • Map note: The exhibitor map set shows OCSE layouts; the 2nd-floor plan includes an “IEEE” label in B-wing—that’s our zone. We’ll confirm the exact table location on arrival. Cool Science

What’s Provided vs. What to Bring

  • Provided: 3 tables, 3 chairs, electricity (per event organizer).
  • Bring:
    • Extension cords and power strips (required for electrical access).
    • Any demo materials, handouts, and signage.
    • Snacks/water (limited pizza/water is planned for exhibitors; plan self-support to avoid delays). Cool Science

Day-Of Operations

  • Foot traffic: Expect several hundred kids at our station; total festival attendance typically ~8,000 throughout the day (weather dependent).
  • Wi-Fi/Cell: Guest Wi-Fi (UCCS-GUEST) is available; cell coverage can be weak inside buildings. Cool Science
  • Scavenger Hunt: If you see an “elephant element” page on our table, keep it visible—kids will ask for it as part of the Periodic Table of the Elephants hunt. Cool Science
  • Sales/Solicitations: Allowed to distribute info about IEEE and events; no sales or donations onsite. (Organizer rule.)
  • Load-out: You may pack up at 4:00 p.m.; volunteers may be limited late afternoon.

Weather Plan

  • Baseline forecast: Sunny, mid-70s; if weather changes, some outdoor stations may be moved indoors (often Gallogly Events Center); most activities are already indoors. We’ll adapt as directed by staff. Cool Science

Roles & Quick Playbook (Mentor Focus)

  • S.T.A.R. = STEAM-TEAMS Ambassadors for Outreach.
  • Engage fast: greet, invite hands-on, offer 30-60s demos, then handoff to the next visitor.
  • Message discipline: “IEEE = engineers improving lives,” “Ask about our local STEAM-TEAMS nights,” and “Sign up for follow-up.”
  • Flow: 1) Greeter/line manager, 2) Demo lead(s), 3) Sign-up + sticker/handout lead.
  • Capture interest: quick QR/sign-up for future STEAM-TEAMS workshops, mentors, and student activities.

Contact, Comms, and Safety

  • On-site lead: John Santiago (cell in signature).
  • If lost: Ask any volunteer at building entrances or the Lower Plaza Info Table for OCSE 2nd-floor B-wing directions. Cool Science
  • Safety: Keep walkways clear; manage cords/tape-downs; sanitize shared items periodically.

Thank you for representing IEEE with professionalism and heart. See you Saturday!

Very Respectfully,
John

—

Reference Links (for mentors)

  • Carnival Day — Attendee Info (hours, parking, maps, info tent): Cool Science
  • Exhibitor Maps (building/room layouts; see OCSE 2nd-floor plan with “IEEE” in B-wing): Cool Science+1

URLs

Please let me know if you have questions.

2026 Logistics Update for IEEE Booth and Classroom Instruction

Attached is a draft IEEE flyer to help promote our planned participation in the 2026 Cool Science Carnival Day and Festival.

For Carnival Day at UCCS on Saturday, October 3, IEEE Pikes Peak would like to support both a hands-on booth and more structured introductory classroom sessions using Snap Circuits.

Our proposed Carnival Day schedule is:

Introductory Snap Circuits Classroom Sessions

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
  • 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
  • 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

For logistics, we would like to request:

  • Three tables for the IEEE booth, similar to last year
  • One nearby classroom that can accommodate approximately 10–20 participants
  • If possible, a booth location directly outside or near the classroom so families can easily move from the booth to the classroom sessions

We are also planning two follow-up Snap Circuits sessions at 21C Library during the Festival period:

  • Monday, October 5, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday, October 12, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The intent is to use Carnival Day as both a public outreach opportunity and a volunteer development opportunity. Snap Circuits gives us a low-risk, hands-on way to engage students and families while also recruiting, mentoring, and activating more IEEE volunteers throughout the year.

In addition, I have recently been asked at the IEEE Region 5 level to help scale elements of the Pikes Peak approach to other Sections across Region 5, which includes more than 26 Sections and 26,000+ members. Houston has already provided practical support through Annie Dai’s Snap Circuits experience, and Denver and Central Texas are also among the Sections interested in participating or learning from this model.

Any comments, questions, or recommendations are welcome. We appreciate Cool Science’s continued leadership and support in making STEAM visible, accessible, and engaging for families across the Pikes Peak Region.

 

SNAP Circuits

Lessons for Snap Circuits

Below Click here for sample lessons to be conducted on Cool Science Carnival Day and Festival:  Snap Circuits |  PhET Demos -Circuits |  PhET Demos Photonics

Below is an example DC circuit simulation where you can drag and drop.

 

IEEE Booth Intro

IEEE Presents: Magnets, Motors, Microcontrollers & Monster Magic!
‍‍ Where Curiosity Ignites Engineering Futures!

Welcome to a world where science comes alive, robots dance, pencils levitate, and circuits sparkle with creativity! Brought to you by the IEEE Pikes Peak Section and powered by the STEAM-TEAMS Initiative, this special highlight reel invites you behind the scenes of Colorado Springs’ most electrifying family science event—the Cool Science Carnival Day at UCCS (University of Colorado Colorado Springs).

In this 1–2 minute teaser, you’ll witness what makes our booth—Magnets, Motors, Microcontrollers & Monster Magic—a magnet for kids, families, and future innovators.

What to Expect at Our Booth
Three action-packed tables delivering hands-on STEAM learning:

Table 1: Electricity in Action!

  • Levitating pencils
  • Homopolar motors
  • Electromagnet demos
  • Squishy circuits & name circuits
  • Snap circuit builders

Table 2: Physics in Motion!

  • Maxwell’s wheel
  • Gyroscopes
  • Simple machines that spin, tilt, and twist

Table 3: WowWee Robotics!

  • RoboSapiens, Robopets & motion-based toy demos
  • Explore the tech behind dancing bots and real-world robotics

Why Should You Volunteer or Visit?
Because science is more than formulas—it’s FAMILY. This booth is a multi-generational mentorship magnet, with:

  • IEEE Life Members mentoring Young Professionals
  • Young Professionals mentoring university students
  • University students mentoring K–12 students, homeschool families, and future innovators

By volunteering just one hour, you empower others, explore 100+ booths across UCCS, and help bridge the STEM gap in your community.

This Is More Than a Booth. It’s a Movement.
We’re inviting engineers, educators, grandparents, parents, and students to help us build the next generation of thinkers, makers, and dreamers. Whether you’re flipping switches or flipping perspectives, your presence matters.

PARENT INFORMATION:

5 Oct and 12 Oct  (Mon, 5 PM – 7 PM at 21st Library, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80920)

INFORMATION BELOW ARE FOR VOLUNTEERS ONLY AND DOES NOT APPLY TO VISITORS FOR

Help us fill 36 volunteer slots!
1 hour shifts between 10am–6pm. Visit the rest of the festival before or after your shift.

‍‍‍ Bring your kids.
Bring your grandkids.
Bring your stories, your experience, and your smile.

To volunteer, email:
john.santiago@ieee.org
Or visit: https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/carnival-day