Direct to Discovery (D2D): Delivering opportunities for authentic STEM discovery directly to Georgia's K12 classrooms
Direct to Discovery delivers the subject matter STEM expertise of Georgia Tech directly to Georgia's K12 classrooms through virtual learning experiences focused on STEM inquiry and design. Direct to Discovery enables students to interact with world-class scientists and engineers, engage in real-world STEM inquiry and design, and remotely access select Georgia Tech research facilities. Direct to Discovery is free for Georgia schools and families, and is developed using the approved Georgia education standards.
Upcoming Direct to Discovery sessions
Dive into a world of STEM with our regularly scheduled Direct to Discovery sessions. We regularly offer sessions on a variety of topics designed to spark curiosity and enhance STEM learning. Each session is approximately 45 minutes.
Engineers Week Series
Hacking the Planet: Defending the Systems that Run Our Lives
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - Recording
Focus Area: Computer Engineering/Cybersecurity
Presenter: Dr. Saman Zonouz
Dr. Saman Zonouz, an Associate Professor at Georgia Tech in the Schools of Cybersecurity and Privacy and Electrical and Computer Engineering, directs the Georgia Tech Online Cyber-Physical Master’s Program, and the Cyber-Physical Security Research Laboratory. His research focuses on security and privacy research problems in cyber-physical systems. During his presentation, Saman will discuss how our nation's critical infrastructure needs to be protected.
Fast and clean: Developing the next generation of engines for supersonic aircraft
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
Focus Area: Aerospace Engineering
Presenter: Dr. Adam Steinberg
Dr. Adam Steinberg is the Pratt & Whitney Chair and professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech, with an adjunct appointment in the School of Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on overcoming the scientific and technical barriers facing future aerospace propulsion and energy conversion devices. Working closely with government and industry, his team develops and applies advanced laser-based measurement techniques that help unravel the coupled thermal, fluid, and chemical process occurring in these devices.
Interactional Aerodynamics Research at One of the Largest Wind Tunnels in the US
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.
Focus Area: Aerospace Engineering
Presenter: Dr. Juergen Rauleder
Prof. Juergen Rauleder’s research interests are the experimental and applied numerical aerodynamics, with a focus on interactional and configuration aerodynamics, aero-propulsive interactions, coupled aerodynamics with flight dynamics, new (distributed) propulsion concepts, as well as fluid-structure interactions as applied to all aspects of active and passive rotating and fixed-wing systems. His basic research is applied to the aerodynamic design, optimization, and understanding of current and future air vehicles, including advanced (urban) aerial mobility and UAS, as well as pilot training and simulators.
It's a Blast: Designing Buildings for Extreme Loads
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
Focus Area: Civil Engineering
Presenter: Dr. Lauren K. Stewart
Lauren K. Stewart is the Williams Family Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Programs in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech. Her research focuses on the design, testing, and analysis of structures subjected to extreme and high-rate loading with recent work on mass timber systems, ultra-high performance concrete, and the residual capacity of structural connections. She leads the Structural Engineering & Materials Laboratory and has been recognized with many honors.
Real People, Real Challenges, Real Robots: Mobility Tech with Purpose
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
Focus Area: Mechanical Engineering
Presenter: Kinsey Herrin
Kinsey Herrin is an American Board-Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist and Principal Research Scientist in the Georgia Tech George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. She is a proud Georgia Tech alumna and completed her clinical residencies at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the University of Michigan O&P Center. Her research centers on the design, development, testing and real‑world implementation of assistive and rehabilitative technologies for individuals with mobility impairments. Her work integrates clinical prosthetics and orthotics expertise with engineering and human-centered design, ensuring that technological innovation is grounded in practical clinical relevance and user needs. Drawing from her clinical training and practice, her research consistently emphasizes translational impact, bridging engineering innovation with clinical feasibility, patient experience, and functional performance with an underlying goal to advance assistive technologies that are effective and responsive to real-world user needs.
Friday, February 27, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
3D Printing Titanium: Realizing the Superhero Powers of Ironman
Focus Area: Mechanical Engineering
Presenter: Dr. Aaron Stebner
Past D2D Sessions
A Tour of the Solar System (4th Grade)
October 14, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
Dr. James Sowell (Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, Georgia Tech) will serve as your tour guide in a quick flight around our solar system.
Associated Standard: S3E2a, S3E2b
The Secret Life of Bacteria (7th Grade)
October 15, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
Dr. Lauren Speare (Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences and Ocean Science and Engineering, Georgia Tech) will take the students on an exploration of the lives of bacteria. They are much more complex than most people think!
Associated Standard: S4E1a
That Used to Be a Dinosaur! (3rd Grade)
October 16, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
Ms. Slenker (Spatial Ecology and Paleontology Lab, Georgia Tech) will explore the process of fossilization and discuss fossils found in the state of Georgia.
Associated Standard: S3E2a, S3E2b
Living on Mars! (6th Grade)
October 17, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
For years, we have discussed the colonization of Mars. Dr. James Sowell (Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, Georgia Tech) will explore what would need to be done for us to one day live on the Red Planet.
Associated Standard: S5E1a, S5E1b, S5E1c
The Earth is Moving! (5th Grade)
October 22, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
The Earth is a dynamic place. Dr. Jennifer Glass (Professor and Associate Chair, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Tech) will explore the constructive and destructive forces that have shaped the face of our planet.
Associated Standard: S8P1b, S8P1c
My 157 Days in Space! (K-12)
November 18, 2025, 9:00am - Recording
Dr. Sandra "Sandy" Magnus (Georgia Tech graduate, Georgia Tech Professor of Practice, and 20-year NASA veteran) will share her journey of becoming an astronaut and answer questions regarding space travel. During her time with NASA, Dr. Magnus completed three missions and spent over 150 days in space. In 2022, Dr. Magnus was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. This one-of-a-kind session is open to all grade levels as it is a rare opportunity to interact with an astronaut!
Lights! Cameras! Volcanoes! Earthquakes! (6th Grade)
December 9, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
Dr. Samantha Wilson, Director of the Solid Earth and Planetary Sciences Degree Program at Georgia Tech, will discuss the destructive powers of volcanoes and earthquakes by exploring their portrayal in popular movies.
Associated Standard: S6E5f
Where did they go? (8th Grade)
December 10, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
The Georgia Tech Research Institute is a world leader in the development of Radar and Lidar systems. Jack Wood of GTRI will discuss how these technologies are practical applications of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Associated Standards: S8P4b, S8P4c, S8P4d
Sizzle! Crack! Pop! The Science of Lightning (4th Grade)
December 11, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
Dr. Levi Boggs, a scientist at Georgia Tech's Severe Storms Research Center, will explore how clouds, air, and tiny electric charges work together to create lightning. Cool high-speed videos will be used to give students an up-close view of a lightning strike.
Associated Standards: S4E4b, S4E4c
Space Lightning! (5th Grade)
December 12, 2025, 9:00am and 1:00pm
Did you know there’s lightning that happens way up in space, above the clouds? In this presentation, Dr. Levi Boggs, a scientist at Georgia Tech's Severe Storms Research Center, will discuss transient luminous events, or space lightning. These amazing flashes, like red sprites and blue jets, are different from regular lightning and happen high in Earth’s atmosphere.
Associated Standard: S5P2a
For more information, email STEM-GTRI@gtri.gatech.edu.
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