As part of the centennial celebration of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez (UPRM), the department hosted a large-scale public outreach event on Saturday, September 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Mayagüez Mall. The activity brought together over 1,500 visitors from across Puerto Rico, who participated in interactive demonstrations designed to showcase the science, engineering, and fundamental principles behind chemical engineering.
More than 100 volunteers, ranging from faculty, students, and staff, contributed to making the event possible. Alumni and retired professors also joined the celebration, sharing memories and stories that highlighted the department’s lasting impact on generations of engineers.
Children and adults alike spent hours exploring the exhibition, completing their event passports as they visited each booth. Classic chemical engineering topics such as heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and diffusion captured the curiosity of many attendees. Demonstrations like the non-Newtonian fluid experiments, often described by visitors as “magic”, drew repeat crowds throughout the day.
The event not only celebrated a century of academic excellence and innovation but also offered a window into the department’s present and future. Among the highlights were student-led projects such as ChemE Cube and Coki Racing Team, which demonstrate the creativity and problem-solving skills of UPRM’s next generation of engineers. Attendees also learned about cutting-edge research efforts, including the Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT) and two groundbreaking projects from professors David Suleiman and Maribella Domenech that were sent to the International Space Station (ISS).
Through this interactive celebration, the UPRM Chemical Engineering Department showcased not only its rich 100-year legacy but also its continued leadership in research, innovation, and societal impact reaffirming its role in shaping the future of science and engineering in Puerto Rico and beyond.
