On March 10, 2026, the University of Minnesota brought Pi Day to life through an interactive virtual field trip that connected more than 100 students, educators, and researchers in a dynamic exploration of science and technology. Co-hosted by the International Institute for Biosensing (IIB) and the Minnesota Nano Center, and delivered in partnership with AI Hub, the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI), and the IEEE Twin Cities Section, the event highlighted how AI/Computation underpins innovation across disciplines with special focus on sensors.
The participants were 92 middle school students from Bloomington Public Schools’ New Code Academy, who joined the session eager to discover how concepts like π extend far beyond the classroom.
The Pi Day Virtual Field Trip demonstrated the power of collaboration across the University of Minnesota and its partners. By bridging disciplines—from biosensing and nanotechnology to AI and supercomputing—the event transformed abstract concepts into tangible, real-world applications.
More importantly, it created a meaningful connection between young learners and the researchers shaping the future of science and technology.
From Pi to Practice
The program opened with an engaging introduction to the significance of π and other mathematical constants in real-world applications. Patricia Khashayar, director of IIB, alongside Claire Dietz from the Minnesota Nano Center, connected foundational math concepts to cutting-edge research, demonstrating how constants like π are essential in designing biosensors and advancing nanotechnology.
Students quickly became active participants, testing their understanding through the interactive “Pie, Pi, or Not Pi?” game—an activity that blended learning with creativity and set the tone for the day.
Exploring AI Through Creativity
Building on this foundation, Anneke von Seeger from AI Hub introduced students to the emerging field of artificial intelligence through the “AI Genie” challenge. Using Google Gemini, students experimented with prompt engineering, comparing simple inputs with detailed descriptions to see how AI-generated outputs change.
In a creative twist, students were challenged to reverse-engineer prompts from short narratives—including one featuring “Murphy the Dog”—encouraging them to think critically about how humans communicate with intelligent systems.
Inside a Supercomputing Powerhouse
The field trip also offered a rare virtual look inside the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. Led by MSI experts, including Christine Henzler, Laura Fingerson, and Natalia Calixto Mancipe, the session revealed the scale and complexity of UMN’s high-performance computing infrastructure.
Students learned that MSI’s systems—built from thousands of GPU nodes and more than 70,000 processors—support research spanning astronomy, disease modeling, and agricultural innovation. The concept of managing computational workloads was likened to a massive, real-time game of Tetris, capturing students’ imaginations while illustrating the challenges of optimizing large-scale systems.
Circuits: The Language of Technology
The final session, led by Ahmed Naumaan of the American Public University System and chair of the IEEE Twin Cities Section, introduced students to the fundamentals of circuits and systems. From everyday devices to supercomputers, students explored how electrical pathways power modern life.
Through accessible explanations of analog versus digital systems, as well as concepts like Boolean logic and truth tables, participants gained insight into the invisible mathematical structures that drive the technologies they use every day.
