Experience STEM in action at Montana Tech’s Spring Tech Day

When Kyle Mann was a high school student in Billings, he found himself trying to decide if college was right for him, and if so, what he would major in.

Montana Technological University’s Tech Day made a difference.

“I really enjoyed the environmental engineering session and the department,” he said. “I also liked the small size of Montana Tech. Going to Tech Day and doing the tours and everything really helped me settle on which college I wanted to attend and my major.”

Montana Technological University, Montana’s STEM university, is inviting students who want to make a difference through careers in science, technology, engineering and math to Spring Tech Day on Friday, March 6, 2026. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Spring Tech Day is a one-of-a-kind, hands-on college visit designed for prospective students who want to experience Montana Tech’s programs up close. Participants will spend the day on the university’s historic Uptown Butte campus, exploring academic areas of interest through interactive lab sessions, campus tours, and conversations with faculty and current students. Sessions offered will include seven engineering sessions, three healthcare sessions, one occupational safety and health session, one business session, and one session focused on certificate, associate degree, trade, and workforce programs at Highlands College. A full descriptive list and link to the sign-up page is included at the end of this press release.

“Definitely try it out,” Mann said. “I was still at the point of figuring out if college was the right fit for me, but Tech Day worked out great. I loved it, and it was a lot of fun.”

Now a sophomore, Mann is vice president of the Environmental Engineering Club and has a summer internship at Spring Creek Mine outside of Decker, Montana under his belt. He hasn’t decided yet what type of environmental engineering he wants to pursue, but he is encouraged by Montana Tech’s excellent placement rates and the wide range of jobs available.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the median pay for environmental engineers in 2024 was $104,170, and the industry is projected to grow 4% over the next decade.

“There is a huge spectrum of what you can do after you graduate,” Mann said.

Dr. Raja Nagisetty, head of the Environmental Engineering Department, will lead one of the sessions. Montana Tech’s Environmental Engineering Department structures its session around a central theme.

“The question that we try to answer is ‘What do environmental engineers do?’” he said.

To answer that question, the department sets up three workstations. Students first learn how cutting-edge drone-based remote sensing is used to collect water, soil, and air quality data. Nagisetty explains how he and his students use drones to map cold water patches in the Upper Clark Fork River, providing data valuable for fish habitat improvement projects.

A second station introduces students to a drinking water treatment system design and living filtration membranes grown by brewing kombucha.

“They talk about the challenges and need for low-cost, sustainable drinking water treatment systems and experience how everyday things can be engineered to solve global problems,” Nagisetty said.

The third station highlights resource recovery.

“They talk about phytomining, extracting critical minerals from mine tailings,” Nagisetty said.

Director of Admissions Kelly Horsley says Tech Day is a great place for students like Mann who are trying to find their path.

“Tech Day is perfect for students who aren’t quite sure what they want to study, deciding between a couple of different majors, or want to learn more about their chosen major,” Horsley said. “Plus, it’s a free event and we provide lunch for students and their guests.”

Students can tailor their day by choosing from a variety of immersive breakout sessions, including:

• Business and Information Technology (BIT): Learn how to use Microsoft Power BI, one of the world’s leading business intelligence apps, and win prizes playing BIT-themed Jeopardy.

• Cadaver Dissection Lab: Witness and interact with human cadavers and participate in a hands-on exploration of cadaveric organs and tissues. Learn more about the Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Exercise and Health Science programs from current student ambassadors. Limited to 24 students.

• Computer Science and Software Engineering: See how a classic game leads to discussion of advanced games, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and ethical and moral dilemmas related to AI applications.

• Electrical Engineering: Learn binary code and program a robot to follow a line on the floor. Students interested in electrical engineering, robotics, and computer science are encouraged to join.

• Environmental Engineering: Explore drone-based remote sensing, advanced wastewater treatment, and phytomining for critical mineral extraction.

• Exercise and Health Science: Observe and participate in exercise electrocardiograms (EKGs). Led by current EHS students with discussion and Q&A afterward. Limited to 20 students.

• Geological Engineering: Discover activities involved in engineering the earth, including groundwater resources, contamination, rock strength for construction, and mineral and oil exploration. Drone technology will be showcased.

• Mechanical Engineering: Participate in activities and demonstrations in mechanical testing, fluid mechanics, and more to understand how mechanical engineers build equipment for performing work.

• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering: Learn how materials are manipulated through casting and thermite welding demonstrations, plus a steel forging competition.

• Mining Engineering: Experience what happens when chemical energy is released and learn about mining safety through a virtual reality experience.

• Nursing Simulation: Visit the simulated hospital environment and observe a nursing simulation scenario, then interact with high-fidelity manikins. Limited to 30 students.

• Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): Explore the diverse world of OSH technology, a highly employable health science field with jobs worldwide. Limited to 20 students.

• Petroleum Engineering: Tour state-of-the-art laboratories with demonstrations.

• Highlands College Campus Tour: Explore associate and certificate program lab spaces at Highlands College. Attendees must provide their own transportation to 25 Basin Creek Road.

Parents and guests will not be allowed into Nursing and Cadaver Lab sessions due to space limitations.

Montana Tech will also host sessions for students interested in its other academic programs. For questions, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@mtech.edu or (406) 496-4754.

To sign up, click here.