February 2026 STEM Girl Day at UT Austin

On February 28, 2026, ACI Central Texas teamed up with the University of Texas at Austin Student ACI Chapter to host an interactive activity at UT Austin’s annual STEM Girl Day.

This year’s activity, “Concrete Kids Lab: Exploring the Strength of Reinforced Concrete by Load Testing,” introduced participants to the fundamentals of reinforced concrete through hands-on learning with practicing engineers. Attendees observed live load testing of small-scale beams, helping demonstrate the important role reinforcing steel plays in structural performance.

ACI Central Texas prepared the miniature concrete beams used in the demonstrations, while the UT Student Chapter created and delivered the presentation. The session was presented ten times throughout the day, reaching hundreds of children from across the local community.

Each presentation covered key concepts including how concrete is made, the purpose of reinforcing steel, and how concrete behaves in structural applications. To conclude each session, volunteers conducted load tests on several beam types, including an unreinforced beam, two beams with varying reinforcement levels, and one beam strengthened using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP).

The collaboration showcased the dedication of both ACI Central Texas and the UT ACI Student Chapter in promoting STEM education and community engagement. Their efforts helped create a fun and educational experience for all participants.

For more information about STEM Girl Day, visit: https://girlday.utexas.edu/

Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved with ACI’s Community Outreach initiatives and make a positive impact in the community.