UK IDEA at E-Day 2025
This year at Engineer Day (E-Day), the University of Kentucky welcomed thousands of students and families to come celebrate the science, engineering, and technology taking place in their local community. As one of the most anticipated STEM outreach events in Lexington KY, E-Day provides a way for young minds to engage with science and engineering with hands-on exhibits, helping show them how a career in STEM can lead to incredible innovations.
UK IDEA was proud to be a part of this exciting event, sharing our creative vision for the future of sustainable energy and decarbonization. Through interactive demonstrations and conversations, we introduced students to the cutting-edge technologies UK IDEA has been researching that could reshape the way we capture and utilize carbon.
Showcasing Carbon Capture Science & Energy Innovation
One of the highlights from UK IDEA’s exhibit was a hands-on demonstration of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology-a very important advancement in removing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air. Our team was able to build a working model of a DAC Absorber, allowing visitors to see firsthand an example of how you can take research and put it into action.
With this exhibit, we sought to help students and families understand:
- How carbon capture works
- Why it matters
- What the future holds
By seeing this concept in action first-hand, it’s our hope that students and families gain a deeper appreciation that the role of engineering and chemistry have in solving environmental challenges and creating innovative ways to capture carbon.
Bridging STEM Education & Real-World Impact
By engaging with students in this interactive learning experience and giving them the opportunity to speak with UK IDEA researchers directly, our group aimed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world applications. Because of E-Day, our team was able to discuss Kentucky’s role in decarbonization, how carbon capture can lead to alternative fuels (primarily producing hydrogen fuel), and how CO2 can be safely store underground or converted into useful products.
For many students, E-Day was their first encounter with the science behind carbon capture. By making these topics tangible and real, we’re hoping that our exhibit will help spark new ideas and interest in a younger generation that could shape the future innovations in engineering.
Looking Ahead to E-Day 2026
UK IDEA is excited to continue to attend future E-Days and will be actively developing new ways to demonstrate the incredible work being done-because we remain committed to empowering the next generation of engineers and scientists.
