Near-freezing temperatures and cloudy weather did little to deter crowds from showing up to yet another successful Maryland Day in College Park. START students and staff spoke to visitors from across the state about research projects and educational opportunities, in addition to playing trivia games that tested one’s knowledge of terrorism and current events.
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Maryland Day is a legal holiday in the state of Maryland and is observed every year on April 25, the day that marks the landing of the first European settlers in the Province of Maryland. UMD’s Maryland Day celebration regularly draws crowds of over 50,000 people who come to explore a variety of events, games and food, in addition to learning about Maryland’s schools and colleges.
Highlights from this year’s event include a mini-golf course designed and built by UMD architecture students, a chance to meet baby animals on the Campus Farm, homemade ice cream from the campus dairy, a chance to stand inside the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, and of course, START’s “Test Your Terrorism IQ” booth.
The College of Behavioral and Social Science’s (BSOS) new Dean Gregory Ball paid a visit to the START table, in addition to students, alumni and other visitors. Student and staff volunteers enjoyed talking to people about the work they do around the office and why it matters:
“I love Maryland Day because I get to tell people about the work I do and how it can be practically implemented,” said communications assistant Laura Gonzalez. “Many people do not know much about terrorism research, so I enjoy getting to explain our work to them.”