Welcome to TechDaze

Bridges of Pottawattamie County
Ever thought of how you would design a bridge? Come and try your hand at building a balsa wood bridge - and then destroying it! Teams of three students will construct bridges using balsa wood and glue. Bridges will be judged on their weight to strength ratio: how much the bridge weighs to how much it can hold before collapsing into a splintery pile of wreckage! Prizes will be awarded to the designers of the winning bridge.

Build a Computer
Have you been wondering what’s inside your PC? Here is your chance to find out! You will learn how the computer interacts with its hardware as you build it, and experience satisfaction upon the fact that...“it’s alive”!

Create a Web Page
Get in on the excitement of creating your own web page. This activity gives you the experience you need to learn how to create, design, publish, and maintain a web page. Learn a little about HTML and use web page creation software.

Forensic Investigation
Ever wonder what it would be like to try some of the investigative procedures you see on CSI TV programs? Now is your chance. Take part in the Forensic Investigation activity and you’ll get to experience photography, fingerprinting, artist sketch recreation, and microscopic analysis as they relate to crime scene investigation.

Horticulture From A to Z:
“Have Fun In The Dirt!”
Do you like plants and flowers? Do bugs fascinate you? Join us in finding fun in the garden with activities that include: make a plant growth chamber, colorful carnations (flower tie-dye bouquets), pest private eye computer game (investigating the bug world), scavenger hunts, and more! Stimulate your interest in various areas of horticulture as ‘budding’ gardeners!

How to Save a Life
Did you like to play nurse when you were little? Do you know how to save a life? Come and practice nursing skills using a human simulator and you will learn life-saving techniques. You will explore the human body systems and how they work together. Join us and find out what really being a nurse is all about.

Learn the Basics of Photoshop
Do you like to color or paint - or even cut apart pictures and put the parts somewhere else? Come learn how to do that and more using a computer and the latest graphic software.

A Play Day in the Mud 
Do you like working with your hands? Do you like to build things? Have you ever wondered how sidewalks, driveways or streets are built? Here is your chance. Come join us and you will learn all about concrete….you will even get to install an actual sidewalk.

Programming a Robot
Look Ma! No hands! It’s not remote control; it’s robotics! Learn how to use computer programming to control a robot without a transmitter. Have you ever dreamed of having a robot and telling it what to do? This activity is a hands-on learning experience of training robots. You will have the opportunity to discover the fundamentals of programming by learning how to input robot commands in a logical sequence. Come and find out what you can make a robot do!

Signing Made Simple!
Come “see” a great way to communicate with your hands. Do you enjoy a little drama, a lot of communicating, and hands-on learning? Then come learn to “talk” with your “hands”! You’ll leave “signing” a new song!

Theatre
Come explore the world of theatre. Teams work together on various elements involved in staging a play! Teams will rehearse a scene, design a set, set a stage, hang lights, and perform a scene.

Virtual Surgery 

Spend some time in the wonderful world of surgery, experience aseptic technique and minimally invasive surgery in hands on session that will keep you on your toes. Short sleeve shirt and comfortable shoes are suggested. You will learn the correct way to surgically scrub your hands, put on sterile gown and gloves, then you will have the chance to earn a prize or two by demonstrating your laparoscopic surgical skills.