Members of the Jump and Empower Thrusts recently participated in the Virginia Tech Science Festival, an annual campus‑wide event that welcomes thousands of community members to explore science through interactive experiences. This year’s festival attracted more than 2,500 attendees, including approximately 400 K-12 students who traveled from surrounding regions on school field trips.
As part of the festival, the team contributed a multi‑table research exhibit designed to introduce learners of all ages to concepts at the intersection of machine learning, infectious disease, and pandemic science. The exhibit featured a three‑table educational game in which participants, from elementary‑age learners through high school students, sorted “like cards” to identify sequences and spell out the names of superhero “villains.” The activity served as an accessible metaphor for how machine learning models analyze biological data to predict viral hosts of emerging pathogens.
Following the game, presenters explained the underlying research using age‑appropriate approaches tailored to each participant group. Older students and adults were also invited to reflect on the use of artificial intelligence in public health research, sharing their perspectives and discussing benefits, concerns, and ethical considerations. To better understand the exhibit’s impact, the team measured children’s interest in pandemic science and related career pathways after participating in the activity.
Throughout the event, team members initiated conversations with potential K–12 education partners, including educators working with students in a rural school district in Pulaski County, Virginia, and with an urban STEM program in Norfolk, Virginia, discussing the potential for future outreach and collaboration.
Overall festival and exhibit engagement included:
- 2,500+ total attendees, including 400 students participating through school field trips
- 5 research exhibit tables staffed by 31 presenters
- Approximately 400 participants who interacted with the COMPASS Center Flip the Fair activity
- 85 adults and 134 children who took part in a marble‑based survey
- 10 in‑depth interviews conducted with participants
Participation in the Virginia Tech Science Festival provided a valuable opportunity for the Jump and Empower Thrusts to connect with the public, foster dialogue around AI and pandemic science, and inspire the next generation of researchers through interactive, inclusive science communication.