March 2026: FEMMES+ Capstone Outreach Program
In March 2026, Mikkelsen Lab participated in Duke’s FEMMES+ Capstone Program, a one-day outreach event that brought 4th–6th grade students from the Durham area to campus for hands-on STEM learning.
Lab members designed and led interactive demonstrations to introduce key concepts in light and optics, giving students the opportunity to explore scientific principles in a fun and accessible way. Activities included demonstrations with lasers and lenses, building paper microscopes (Foldscopes) to observe how different lenses enlarge images, as well as a liquid nitrogen experiment where students explored how materials behave at extremely low temperatures—and even had the chance to freeze gummy bears and safely smash them with a hammer. The activities sparked curiosity and encouraged participants to think about real-world applications of STEM.
Through this outreach, the Mikkelsen Lab was proud to support FEMMES+ in its mission to inspire young students to explore future paths in science and engineering.
- April 2024: Career Day at George Watts Elementary School!
Our lab recently participated in the Career Day at George Watts School in Durham. As part of our community outreach efforts, we engaged with students, sparking their interest in research and STEM careers. It was an inspiring day filled with curiosity and enthusiasm, and we are excited to continue fostering young minds in their educational journeys.
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