September 16, 2019

Media Advisory – Fall 2019 SIU Day

Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be hosting about 900 high school students from throughout the region at SIU Day on Wednesday. Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to cover the event.

Activities take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and are designed to give teens, especially sophomores and juniors, a preview of college life and all they can experience at SIU.

Media may cover break-out sessions, attend the opening festivities or visit with students during lunch.

The opening activities are set for 9-9:45 a.m. at the Banterra Center. Campus officials will speak and a variety of fun activities are planned. The luncheon is planned from 11:15 a.m. to noon at the Student Center Ballrooms.

Breakout sessions will be 10-11 a.m. and 12:10-1:20 p.m. Students will be attending their choice of about 50 different interactive demonstrations and activities presented by academic programs, campus facilities and groups and student services units. These sessions, which typically include a hands-on element, give the teens a chance to explore the many career, educational and student life opportunities available at SIU.  

The diverse breakout sessions allow students to do a variety of activities, including:

  • Experience a mock trial or a post-apocalyptic puppet show.
  • Make beats with assorted percussion instruments.
  • Solve puzzles with real-life applications.
  • See how forensic linguistics is used to solve real criminal cases.
  • Explore the world of dinosaurs or create them with 3d design and printing.
  • Work on hybrid power systems.
  • Build bridges.
  • Play ready4business jeopardy.
  • Try a flight simulator.
  • Check out SIU’s moon buggy or formula racing vehicles.
  • Find out about the region’s connection to the Underground Railroad.
  • Identify various tree species on campus.

Media who want to cover the breakout sessions should request a session in advance, and plan to be on site prior to the time of each session. To make arrangements to cover a breakout session, or for more information about SIU Day, contact Amy Fowler-Dawson at amy.fowler-dawson@siu.edu or 618/453-2544 or Liz Hunter at 618/521-3152.