COLLEGE PARK, Md - The University of Maryland will host its 27th annual Maryland Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 4pm EDT. The beloved campus-wide event will include over 400 free and family-friendly activities for guests to participate in, including sporting events, tours and demonstrations.
Guests can explore UMD’s expansive campus and history through touring its five Learning Neighborhoods: Ag Day Avenue, Terp Town Center, Art & Design Place, Science & Tech Way and Sports & Rec Row. Each neighborhood on campus will offer interactive events with endless possibilities of learning and fun. Highlights at this year’s event include:
Ag Day 100 Years Celebration - Before there was Maryland Day, there was Ag Day, a century-long tradition celebrating the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Stop by Ag Day Avenue for all-day festivities, including the Ag Day Centennial Kickoff, a free scoop of Ag Day Centeni-Yum ice cream and a chance to meet UMD’s newest dairy calf.
Fearlessly Forward: A Terps Journey in Space featuring Jeanette Epps - Join NASA astronaut and UMD alum Jeanette Epps (M.S. ‘94, Ph.D ‘00) for a special fireside chat as she discusses her nearly eight months mission aboard the International Space Station last year, her career trajectory and what’s next.
Diving into Space Exploration - See how UMD researchers simulate deep space and lunar exploration for astronauts and robots in a giant water tank - the only one in the world at a university.
Fire Tornado - Visit the Department of Fire Protection Engineering’s burn lab to see a 10-foot-tall fire tornado.
Name that Calf - When you stop by Ag Day Avenue, make sure you meet UMD’s newest dairy calf and help name her.
Screen-printed Maryland Postcards - Stop by The Clarice for a free Maryland Day postcard and try screen-printing one of your own.
Rubik’s Cube Giveaway - Can you solve a Rubik’s Cube faster than campus experts? Join the Rubik’s Cube Club for tutorials, speed challenges and your chance to take home a limited-edition cube of your own.
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream - Bet you haven’t had ice cream like this! This homemade specialty tastes great and is safe for all ages (while supplies last).
Insect Petting Zoo - Imagine tarantulas, exotic insects, scorpions, bees and millipedes longer than your hand for you to look at and touch - if you dare.
Meet Baxter the Robot - Meet Baxter, the Department of Kinesiology’s robot, and see the cool features of both a 3D and avatar Baxter. Watch Baxter solve puzzles and perform tasks independently and with people. Interact with avatar Baxter in virtual reality, in a version that uses AI and will be shared on a huge screen.
Visitors can also pay a visit to the SECU Stadium at noon to watch the Maryland football team cap off their spring practice schedule with their annual Red-White spring game.
Maryland Day will take place rain or shine. Besides free on-campus parking, the university is also accessible via the Green Metro line at the College Park–University of Maryland metro station. Additionally, Shuttle-UM bus transportation will service main parking lots and garages.
Visit marylandday.umd.edu for a complete list of activities and more information. Show your support on social media using #MarylandDay