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

Discover Your University: James Street Labratory  promotional image

Discover Your University: James Street Labratory

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 10:30am to 11:30am
James Street Laboratory

IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering’s James Street Laboratory provides 17,000 square feet for the construction of large hydraulic models.

Tour attendees will explore the capabilities of this impressive space through a working model of the Newtown Creek wastewater management system. Located in Brooklyn, New York, Newtown Creek frequently experiences flooding from wastewater backups even during light rainfall. IIHR is leading efforts to design a new system that addresses these challenges.

Join us on...

Discover Your University: IIHR Hydraulic Wind Tunnel Annex promotional image

Discover Your University: IIHR Hydraulic Wind Tunnel Annex

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Hydraulics Wind Tunnel Annex

Following the devastating 2008 flood, the Iowa Flood Center joined IIHR in 2009 and provides Iowans with critical tools and information to help them understand and mitigate flood risks.

Tour attendees will get a glimpse of IIHR and the Iowa Flood Center's research expertise and breadth by seeing what goes into the fabrication of field monitoring equipment. Participants will also experience interactive demonstrations of research labs solving complex erosion and sedimentation challenges, advancing...

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...

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...

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...

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Past Events

4th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Fairport Fish Hatchery promotional image

4th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Fairport Fish Hatchery

Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:00am to 3:00pm
LACMRERS

Join us for the 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration!

Explore, discover, and win prizes, including events like the Great Hatchery Treasure Hunt! Join us for a family-friendly adventure; follow the trails, explore the grounds, and discover hidden “treasures” inspired by the hatchery’s natural habitats, living waters, and rich history of this unique Mississippi River landmark. Bring your curiosity, enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi River landscape, and see what treasures you uncover!

Baby fish

Live...

Earth Day Celebration hosted by Hawkeye Area Council, Scouting America promotional image

Earth Day Celebration hosted by Hawkeye Area Council, Scouting America

Saturday, April 18, 2026 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Camp Wakonda, Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation

You're invited to the 4th annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 18!

Join us on Earth Day for an afternoon of interactive and educational fun! Various organizations will host booths to spread environmental awareness, including the Iowa Flood Center and their watershed model. This free event, hosted at the Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation, is open to the public and anyone in the Scouting community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

STEM Skate Off promotional image

STEM Skate Off

Saturday, April 11, 2026 5:00pm
Xtream Arena
STEM Night at Xtream Arena, presented by Shoemaker @ Haaland, brings science, technology, engineering, and math to life with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities on the concourse.
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