Davidson Institute: On June 23, 2007, 100 students, ages 6-15, each with a parent, attended a day-long program Materials for Energy and Nanotechnology, put on by MRSEC faculty and students. The students were attendees at the Davidson Institute for Talent Development Young Scholars Annual Meeting, held in St Paul. Events included a plenary lecture on Chemical Energy by Frank Bates and Marc Hillmyer, visits to two or three faculty labs and characterization facilities, a barbeque on the Northrop Mall, and a show by the Physics Force.

Lego League: On October 20, 2006, the UMN MRSEC hosted 450 participants from the Minnesota FIRST Lego League "Nanoquest" competition. FIRST Lego League is an organization, which "introduces children around the world to the fun and experience of solving real world problems by applying math, science, and technology". The Third and Fourth grade students were treated to tours of the University's Characterization Facility and Nanofabrication Center and presentations on all things "nano" by 12 participating MRSEC faculty members and their research teams. The 450 participants came from rural, suburban, and urban schools. The visit was the subject of a front-page article in the Minnesota Daily.

Strange Matter: Every weekend from February 2 to April 4, 2006 over 40 undergraduate and graduate students from the UMN MRSEC, led by faculty members Lorraine Francis, Beth Stadler, Chris Leighton (pictured) and Frank Bates, participated in the "Strange Matter" exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Faculty and students participated in "sleep-ins" and the very exciting, but really exhausting "36 hours of science." As "Scientist on the Spot," Frank Bates showed kids "the polymer that Bates built" and answered questions online about materials covering the what, the how, the why and the how much of "Strange Matter."