Top 20 at 20

Maryland Day is “no way” without the staff and faculty who welcome tens of thousands of visitors and host games, performances, tours, meet-and-greets and information sessions. (Phew!) But maybe you’re volunteering your heart out every year, and haven’t gotten to see a lot of what makes this supersized open house so special.

As the 20th anniversary of Maryland Day approaches on April 28, we invite you to venture beyond your booth, tent or other turf. We’ve compiled a list of 20 can’t-miss events: a mix of classics, newbies and others that will make you think, sweat or smile—and sometimes all three. How many can you stop by?

Feeling ambitious? Find the full schedule of events at marylandday.umd.edu. (All events are held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.)

1

African-American History Tour 
Take part in this walking tour led by experts to uncover UMD’s history of the perseverance, sacrifices and dedication of African Americans in making the university inclusive and accessible to all. Tours, which have a companion website at umd.edu/blackhistorytour, will depart from the Rossborough Inn gardens at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

2

Bucket Drumming Lessons
The School of Music invites you to The Clarice to explore the African rhythms of Gahu and develop your own beats using only buckets and drumsticks. No musical experience needed! This half-hour event starts at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.

3

Chemistry Magic
Have fun watching the chemists of Alpha Chi Sigma play. Can you shatter a rubber ball? Make putty? Will you see magic or chemistry? Drop by the front entrance to the Bioscience Research Building for one explosive event.

4

Climbing Wall
Try the Eppley Recreation Center’s 55-foot-high climbing wall. Never climbed? Don’t worry! This is a new-climber-friendly environment with experienced staff on hand to help. Participants must be at least 48 inches tall. Gates close at 3 p.m.

5

Cooking Stage
Dining Services chefs showcase “A Taste of Maryland,” with flavorful recipes unique to the state. Demonstrations on Hornbake Plaza begin at 10:30 a.m. Limited samples are available.

6

Escape Room
Designed and built by students, the UMD Escape Room in the new Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center is a fun and exciting puzzle challenge. Test your wits to escape the room before the time runs out.

7

Fish at the Fountain
Children are invited to fish for foam terrapins in the ODK Fountain. Win prizes!

8

Fun With Robots
The Autonomous Unmanned Systems Stream and Department of Aerospace Engineering invite guests to the front of the Manufacturing Building to interact with groups of small robots built by students.

9

Get Blown Away in the Wind Tunnel
Experience wind at Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel! See test models, talk with staff and students, and watch clips of prior tests with planes, trains, people and more.

10

Gymkana Demonstration
The student-athletes of the Gymkana troupe put on a high-flying show full of gymnastics and acrobatics at 1 p.m. on La Plata Beach while demonstrating the importance and benefits of a healthy drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free lifestyle.

11

Illusion by Design: Meet the Magician
Do you believe in magic? If not, the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation’s resident magician, staff member Joe Largess, will make you a convert. Watch him perform amazing illusions, sleight of hand and tricks of the eye. You might even be selected to help in his act. Shows in 0204 Architecture Building start at noon and 2 p.m.

12

Insect Petting Zoo
Imagine tarantulas, exotic insects, scorpions, bees and millipedes longer than your hand for you to look at and touch—if you dare. Stop by 1161 Plant Sciences Building until 3 p.m.

13

Life in the Anchor Chair
Ever wonder what it’s like to deliver the nightly news? Come have an interactive experience in the anchor’s chair in the Eaton Broadcast Center at UMTV in Tawes Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

14

Life-size Home Fire Simulation
The Department of Fire Protection Engineering sets fire to two life-size residential rooms on the Mitchell Fields: one with sprinklers, the other without. Witness the dramatic life safety and property protection provided by sprinkler systems.

15

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Bet you haven’t had ice cream like this! This homemade specialty tastes great and is safe for all ages. Try some on the front lawn of the Toll Physics Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or while supplies last.

16

Livestock Show
Watch student members of Block and Bridle show pigs, lambs, dairy heifers and beef steers in the Animal Sciences Show Ring.

17

Makerspace Mashup
Visit the John and Stella Graves MakerSpace in McKeldin Library to try out virtual reality with the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift stations. See demonstrations of 3-D printing and view student, faculty and staff projects created in this popular community space.

18

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Autographs
Join team members on McKeldin Mall’s Main Stage for a photo and autograph session from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. One photo and autograph per person; the line is limited to the first 500 people.

19

Solar Decathlon House Tours
UMD opens the doors to its award-winning student entries in the 2007 and 2017 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. LEAFHouse is now operated by the Potomac Valley Architecture Foundation as a public showcase and educational venue for solar design and sustainable living. The new house, reACT—for Resilient Adaptive Climate Technology—is being reassembled after its return from the competition in Denver. (Shuttle buses leave from and return to the Architecture Building starting at 11:30 a.m.)

20

Terps Racing Vehicle Reveals
Terps Racing, a team of students who design, build, test and race high-performance race cars, debut their 2018 season Baja and Formula SAE vehicles on the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building plaza.