"Science Day," organized by the student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), will give the youngsters a chance to get some "hands-on" experience working on projects alongside college students and professionals in the high-tech industry.

"Throughout the day, the children will be encouraged to feel, touch and experience science," said Ari Soto, president of CSUN's chapter of SHPE. "We want to create an awareness of the opportunities available to them in a higher education, especially in science and engineering, expose them to local student and professional role models in the science fields and build their confidence to pursue a career in science or engineering."

"Science Day" will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Student Union on the east side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

The fifth graders will have a chance to participate in a variety of workshops that include walking in real space suits; conducting experiments that produce colorful chemical reactions; seeing models of future spacecraft fly in the sky; building skyscraper towers from straws; and controlling robots.

Corporate sponsors include The Boeing Company‹Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Easton Sports, CH2MHill and TRW.

For more information, call (818) 677-2191.