UAlbany Welcomes Families for STEM and Nanotechnology Family Day
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 27, 2026) — The University at Albany will welcome families and students in grades 2-8 to its annual STEM and Nanotechnology Family Day on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the ETEC building on the Harriman Campus.
The free event will feature more than 20 hands-on activities introducing children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Participants can test robots, investigate weather and climate science, build with LEGOs, experiment with non-Newtonian fluids and explore nanotechnology through experiments involving light-bending materials and self-cleaning surfaces.
“Nanotechnology may involve working at a scale too small for us to see, but its impact is all around us — from the semiconductor chips that power our devices to advances in medicine and materials,” said College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering Dean Michele J. Grimm. “Through hands-on experiments, we hope to show young people that science and engineering offer opportunities to make discoveries and shape the future.”
Early exposure to STEM careers
Part of UAlbany's monthlong NANOvember celebration, the event brings together University researchers, student organizations, educators and industry partners to introduce young learners to emerging technologies and STEM career opportunities.
Participants include CNSE, the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center and the New York State Mesonet, representing a broad range of scientific disciplines to give young participants a glimpse of the work being done by University researchers and students.
The New York State Master Teacher Program and NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex will also participate, along with corporate and community partners and UAlbany student organizations.
“STEM and Nanotechnology Family Day is a wonderful opportunity to bring families from across the Capital Region to UAlbany and share the exciting work happening here,” said Melissa Connolly, vice president for communications and marketing. “Events like this help strengthen our connections with the community while inspiring curiosity and a love of learning in young people.”
Advance registration is required through the NANOvember 2026 website.
NANOvember returns
Other NANOvember events include a public lecture series at ETEC featuring UAlbany researchers and industry experts.
CNSE chemist Robert Brainard will discuss how light is used to manufacture computer chips on Nov. 2, followed by a Nov. 16 talk from Tokyo Electron America's Angélique Raley exploring semiconductor manufacturing and its role in artificial intelligence.
On Nov. 30, CNSE's J. Andrés Melendez will examine the science of aging and emerging RNA therapies. All three lectures begin at 6 p.m.