On June 14th, a group of high school students began their week at Exploring Careers in Engineering and Physical Science (ECEPS) summer sessions with an all-day session at the Supercomputing Institute. The seminar, Molecular Modeling with Super(duper)computers, allowed the students to explore some simple, but robust, models that let chemists make predictions about things like sweetness, drug activity, gas pressures, and fuel values, using the software available at MSI. They also found out how the computers themselves work and what makes them useful in a world that is increasingly relying on predictions to streamline research and design.
During the ECEPS program, the students participate in seminars and workshops led by College of Science and Engineering (formerly the Institute of Technology) engineers and scientists. These workshops can include participating in demonstrations, lectures, tours, and lab experiences that help make engineering, science, and mathematics be seen as viable careers to the high school students.
The summer ECEPS sessions are for high school students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades who are interested in engineering, physical science, or mathematics. Each session lasts one week. More information can be found here.
Dr. Nick Labello (MSI User Support) shows ECEPS participants visualizations on the Powerwall in the LMVL.
Professor Ilja Siepmann (Chemistry, MSI Fellow) explains software at the SDVL to two ECEPS participants.