Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 29 April 20, 1995 - 1995 Tour de Tech activities detailed

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

1995 Tour de Tech activities detailed

By Tatum Hoffer, University Relations intern

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 29 - April 20, 1995

When the 1995 Tour DuPont races through Blacksburg on April 30, Montgomery students will have a lot more to see and do other than watch the cyclists pedal their way to the Stage Four finish line.

Virginia Tech's Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures (CIMSS) is sponsoring "Tour de Tech," a celebration of the race designed to incorporate and educate local children. Using the theme, "Discover it! Science and Engineering," the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities have combined efforts to feature a science-and-technology exposition, bicycle rally, and running races.

The EXPO, to be held on April 27-28 in Squires Commonwealth Ballroom, is to promote an understanding and awareness of the diversity of science and engineering by using fitness, competition, and sports technology. Demonstrations are designed for students K-12.

A key demonstrator will be Richard Klein, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Illinois. One of Klein's demonstrations is called the "Stable Single Track Trailer," which is a bike that is able to steer, balance, and follow another bike by itself. Other demonstrations include night-vision goggles, micro-robots, aerodynamics, virtual reality, fiber optics, the mini Baja--a made-from-scratch all-terrain vehicle, solar car, gliding, power boat, adhesion, and art projects.

The EXPO will run from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and then reopen from 6 until 9 p.m. on April 27. On April 28, the EXPO will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 29, will feature bike riding, running, and other family-oriented activities, starting at 10 a.m. at the commuter parking lot on Price's Fork Road in Blacksburg with a series of Kids "Do It" Runs. A Family Bicycle Rally, featuring a rodeo, bicycle-repair stations and safety checks will be held 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. At noon and 12:30 p.m., family/group social bike rides will begin, with a choice of a 10-15 mile ride, or a one-to-two-mile ride.

Tour de TECH activities conclude Sunday, April 30, with the Blacksburg Tour Downtown street festival on College Avenue and Draper Road. The Tour DuPont Stage Four race finish is expected to occur on the Virginia Tech mall at approximately 3:30 p.m.

All Tour de TECH activities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Beth Howell at 1-2900.