Learn how to fly at Night of the Open Door on Polytechnic campus

Have you ever wondered about how to fly a plane? Then now is your opportunity to see how, as ASU student-pilots share their simulated touch downs in the Hawaiian Islands, this Feb. 21, as part of ASU Polytechnic’s Night of the Open Door.

The twin engine turbo prop airplane and regional jet simulators – core teaching tools for ASU’s airline management, air traffic control and professional flight management degrees – are part of the two dozen laboratory tours, demos and hands-on science, engineering and art activities offered this week as part of the Polytechnic festival.

“Night of the Open Door at Polytechnic showcases many of the hands-on learning experiences that are an important aspect of this campus,” said James Contes in the Department of Engineering Technology. Contes will offer tours of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja and Automotive Engineering Lab, whose students design, engineer and test cars for collegiate competition and “are highly skilled and sought after by industry.”

“We attract students who want a learning experience that goes beyond the classroom,” added James Anderson, a retired Air Force and commercial pilot with 19,000 hours of flight time. A lecturer with the aviation program, Anderson will be onsite to lead tours of the state-of-the-art King Air and CRJ200 flight simulators.

From dynamometers, digital imaging, dancers, arts, music, 3D printing and games to glass engines, robots, algae and science experiments for K-12 classrooms, there is something for everyone.

Budding biologists can join the Biology Bash with students and faculty Wildlife and Restoration Student Association (WRSA), Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Horticulture and Southwest Gardening.

Artists and engineers alike can view 3D printing demos and battling Sumobots with TechShop, an innovation and entrepreneurial community-based workshop and prototyping studio allied with the Polytechnic campus.

In addition to activities hosted by The Polytechnic School, U.S. Army, ASU Libraries, Sun Devil Fitness Center, ASU Print and Imaging Lab, and Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI), the W.P. Carey School of Business will present two in-depth offerings.

Faculty and students within the Morrison School of Agribusiness will test visitors’ skills at stock and food trading and participants can see how auctions and consumer surveys shape health policies, such as labels on soft drinks to help fight obesity.

Add to that music performances by students, balloon races, pixel art, Dr. Mo’s Science Extravaganza, Silly Skills and Hour of Code activities that teach the basics of core programming logic for ages 4 and up, and you have an evening to remember.

For more information about other upcoming Open Door events, visit opendoor.asu.edu.