Everywhere, All the Time

IIHR's outreach program is known for being "everywhere, all the time." Our program is dedicated to public service and sharing our applied research broadly to develop solutions to real-world problems. 

Our team regularly engages in outreach events, from hosting FIRST LEGO League teams to inspire the next generation of engineers to attending city council meetings to offer technical support to address local water resource concerns—we do it all! Contact us to discuss how we can support your group, event, or program. View upcoming and past events below.

Spencer Community Event
First LEGO League

80

Annual Outreach Events

Connecting with community leaders, policymakers, agencies, K-12 students, and the public.

Rep. Hinson Field Visit

Upcoming Events

Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Open House promotional image

Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Open House

Saturday, August 8, 2026 3:00pm to 7:30pm
Johnson County Historic Poor Farm

Join us for the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Open House!

Throughout the event, attendees can enjoy kids activities, food vendors, tabling and resource-sharing from partner organizations, and cover crop and farm equipment exploration.

Attendees are encouraged to check out the Global Food Project farmers market, which will take place on the east side of the Dairy Barn from 3 - 5:30pm. The farmers market accepts cash, debit and credit cards, SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC, and Senior Vouchers...

Experiential Education: Educator Summit promotional image

Experiential Education: Educator Summit

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 8:30am to 4:00pm
Kent Park Conservation Education Center

Back for a second year, this full-day workshop aimed at formal and informal educators features six interactive, interdisciplinary, inspiring, and fun workshop sessions. The event will also feature networking opportunities and the chance to learn from peers. Whether you are a classroom teacher, a museum educator, or an aspiring educator, there is something here for you. Each session will include hands-on learning activities and several will include outdoor learning elements, hiking, and even some...

Be Ready QC: Emergency Resource Fair promotional image

Be Ready QC: Emergency Resource Fair

Sunday, August 30, 2026 11:30am to 3:30pm
Waterfront Convention Center

Join us for the Be Ready QC: Emergency Resource Fair!

The Emergency Resource Fair is a free, family-friendly event focused on emergency and disaster preparedness and safety. Attendees can expect kids activities, hands-only CPR training, a virtual reality simulator, information of preparedness resources, giveaways, and more!

We hope to see you there!

Engineering Welcome Fair promotional image

Engineering Welcome Fair

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Seamans Center

Join us on September 1 for the Engineering Welcome Fair!

Enjoy snacks and learn more about:

Student organizations

Academic programs

Student support resources

Off-campus opportunities

Engineering employers

And more!

We hope to see you on South Capitol Street between Seamans Center & Old Capitol Mall!

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Past Events

Community Stem Day with Collins Aerospace promotional image

Community Stem Day with Collins Aerospace

Thursday, July 16, 2026 9:00am to 2:00pm
Collins Aerospace

Join us for Community STEM Day, hosted by Collins Aerospace in collaboration with the Southeast Iowa STEM Hub.

This exciting farmer’s market-style STEM event will take place from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Collins Aerospace C Ave Complex near the Building 112 entrance in Cedar Rapids. The day will feature engaging STEM activities from businesses, individuals, and organizations from the Cedar Rapids area. There will also be lab tours, in-depth workshops, and food trucks offering lunch for purchase...

Grandparents University®: Discover Your Watershed promotional image

Grandparents University®: Discover Your Watershed

Thursday, July 16, 2026 8:00am to 4:30pm
Hydraulics Wind Tunnel Annex

Hawkeye grandparents and grandchildren, ages 8-14 years old, can experience student life together while taking part in educational, fun, and unique activities.

Explore extreme weather events, particularly flooding, as well as water-quality challenges in Iowa. Design your own watershed systems, experimenting with different materials to discover how to reduce flood impacts and agricultural runoff to protect clean water. By the end, you will better understand how land-use practices impact flooding...

6th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory promotional image

6th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory

Saturday, July 11, 2026 9:00am to 11:00am
Ashton Cross Country Course

What types of plants, animals, and fungal life might you find at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory? Let's find out! 

Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory in our 6th Annual BioBlitz. Your findings will inform a major research project and will contribute to the fifth data point in a multi-year documentation of how diversity changes at this site over time. Collections will be housed with the UI Museum of Natural History...

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