From building bridges and discovering medication to writing the software that powers our cell phones — Engineers Day, or E-Day, is a celebration of everything UK Engineering has to offer.

The highly anticipated event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the engineering complex at the University of Kentucky from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22.

E-day is intended to amaze, inform and delight attendees of all ages. Anyone interested in engineering and computer science will be able to explore what makes our 21st-century world work, while getting an up-close look at what it's like to be a UK engineering student or researcher.

The one-day celebration draws thousands of children and parents to campus with one goal in mind — to encourage girls and boys in elementary, middle and high school to consider pursuing a degree in engineering.

"E-Day celebrates engineering in a way that is fun. But it also plants seeds in kids’ minds and gets them thinking about engineering," Micaha Dean Hughes, chair of E-Day, said. "The more they’re exposed to engineering in an engaging context, the more they’ll begin to see themselves as future engineers."

Whether it's creating a device that will allow an egg to be dropped from a second-floor balcony or building the strongest bridge possible with a set of Legos, there's plenty E-Day has to offer. The event will feature approximately 150 demonstrations, exhibits and contests hosted by UK students and departments, government organizations and industries. There will also be hands-on events, laboratory tours and door prizes.

E-day is a "come and go" type event. A few contests, such as the egg drop, will have a start time, so it is advised that the public arrive at the event near 9 a.m. to be able to participate. 

Engineers Day will also be celebrated from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Central Time Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Paducah Campus of the UK College of Engineering.

More information about E-Day 2020 is available online.