Explore the World of Science and Engineering at Tulane
SSE WAVE WEEKEND 2026
Open House | Friday, November 6, 2026 | 1 to 4 p.m.
Step inside the ideas, discoveries, and hands-on work shaping the future at Tulane. Meet faculty and students, explore every SSE department, see research and student projects, experience live MakerSpace demonstrations, preview senior Capstone projects, and join open conversations about artificial intelligence and the future of engineering.
Then, join us on Saturday for our annual Homecoming Tailgate on Berger Family Lawn.
Explore the Schedule Plan Your Visit SSE Homecoming Tailgate
One Afternoon, Every Corner of SSE
The SSE Homecoming Open House invites alumni, families, students, and friends of Tulane to experience the School of Science and Engineering in action. Follow your curiosity across our outdoor event spaces, talk with the people behind the work, and discover how SSE is advancing science and engineering for better lives.
There is no single route through the Open House. Start with the SSE Discovery Passport, choose the departments and activities that interest you, catch a live demonstration, and make time for one or both Ask Me Anything sessions in Paul Hall Auditorium.
Four Ways to Experience SSE
Your passport to discovery starts here! Explore SSE departments to learn about their research and student projects, see the Makerspace in action, chat with students previewing prototypes for the senior Capstone Expo, and bring your questions to our Ask Me Anything sessions. Meet faculty and students along the way, and collect at least five stamps to claim a prize at the check-in tent outside of Lindy Boggs Center.
Bring your questions to Paul Hall Auditorium for two candid, audience-driven conversations with SSE faculty about artificial intelligence at 2 pm and the future of engineering at Tulane at 3 pm. Both sessions take place in the Paul Hall auditorium.
Experience the Scot Ackerman Makerspace with tours and live demonstrations by our student FabTechs! See how students use advanced tools to design, prototype, and build. Each demonstration will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes, leaving time to explore other Open House activities between sessions.
Get an inside look at senior capstone projects from Biomedical Engineering (BME), Physics and Engineering Physics (PEP), and Computer Science (CS). Meet student teams, learn about the problems they are working to solve, and preview projects that are still in development. Visitors must complete a brief waiver before entering the Capstone Expo Preview.
Open House Schedule
Department displays, student projects, research conversations, and the SSE Discovery Passport will be available throughout the afternoon. Featured programs begin every 30 minutes.
Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
1:00 PM | Open House Begins; Pick Up Your Map and Discovery Passport, and Begin Exploring SSE. | Check-in outside of Lindy Boggs |
1:00-4:00 | Capstone Expo Preview | Makerspace Courtyard |
1:00 PM | Makerspace Tours Begin | Makerspace |
1:30 PM | Laser Cutter Demonstration with JP Tran | Makerspace |
2:00 PM | Ask Me Anything Session: Artificial Intelligence (More Information Below) | Paul Hall Auditorium |
2:00 PM | Lathe Demonstration with BJ Karvets | Makerspace |
2:30 PM | 3D Printer Demonstration with Jordan Burse | Makerspace |
3:00 PM | Ask Me Anything: The Future of Engineering at Tulane (More Information Below) | Paul Hall Auditorium |
3:00 PM | Waterjet Cutter Demonstration with Trae'Jon Turner-Smith | Makerspace |
4:00 PM | Open House Concludes; Return Completed Passports to the Check-in Tent Before Departing. | Lindy Boggs Center |
Ask Me Anything Sessions
Session 1: Artificial Intelligence
Friday, Nov. 6, 2:00 - 2:50 PM
Paul Hall Auditorium
Moderator: Mark Wheeler
Guests: Ibrahim Demir, Aron Culotta, Matt Montemore, and Jianwei Sun
Artificial intelligence is transforming how we conduct research, educate students, and address complex challenges across science and engineering. Join Tulane School of Science and Engineering faculty members Ibrahim Demir, Aron Culotta, Jianwei Sun, and Matt Montemore for an engaging conversation about the rapidly evolving world of AI. Following a moderated discussion, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions about emerging technologies, groundbreaking research, responsible innovation, and how Tulane is preparing students to lead in an AI-driven future.
Session 2: Engineering
Friday, Nov. 6, 3:00 - 3:50 PM
Paul Hall Auditorium
Moderator: Don Vinci
Guests: Matt Barrios, Ryan Gelfand, and Ehab Meselhe
Engineering at Tulane is entering an exciting new era. Join School of Science and Engineering faculty members Matt Barrios, Ryan Gelfand, and Ehab Meselhe for a conversation about the growth of Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering at Tulane. The panel will explore the emerging technologies, workforce needs, and interdisciplinary opportunities shaping these programs, as well as Tulane’s distinctive approach to preparing the next generation of engineers and STEM leaders. Following a moderated discussion, audience members will be invited to join the conversation and ask questions.
Explore Across SSE
Department and program stations will offer different ways to connect with SSE. Depending on the stop, visitors may encounter research demonstrations, senior projects, hands-on activities, student experiences, academic opportunities, and conversations with faculty. Together, the stations offer a broad look at the work taking place across the school.
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Check out recent departmental accomplishments, such as student projects, awards, and faculty research. We will also have CBE reps from the Tulane Rocketry club who are bringing their rocket! Visitors will be able to make sand art using recycled glass sand.
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Students will showcase their progress in Capstone projects, as well as their use of AI and industry-standard tools in their software engineering projects.
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Ever sprained an ankle trying to avoid stepping on a lizard? Ever skinned your knee trying to scale what you’re pretty sure used to be a smooth sidewalk but is now mostly a tree root? Come learn more about the organisms all around you! (Tripping you up?) Come to learn from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology! We’ll have all kinds of animals (live and jarred) for you to see. Most of all, we’ll have some excited mammals (faculty and current students) eager to chat with you about their research, courses, and work!
- Electrical Engineering
- Learn about all of our current efforts and where we're headed with the return of Electrical Engineering as a major.
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Learn about all of our current efforts and where we're headed with the return of Mechanical Engineering as a major.
- Neuroscience
- Physics and Engineering Physics
- Psychology
- River-Coastal Science and Engineering
- Space Science & Engineering
- SSE Graduate Programs
- Ask bigger questions. Solve harder problems. Tulane SSE offers graduate programs where you’ll work alongside faculty on real-world challenges, from energy to health to the environment. Explore MS and PhD programs in science and engineering.
Plan Your Visit
Begin at the central SSE check-in tent. You will receive the afternoon schedule, event map, and SSE Discovery Passport. The prize table will also be located at check-in.
The Open House is designed for exploration. Department stations and other experiences will be located in the outdoor areas surrounding Boggs, Paul Hall, Flower Hall, and the Makerspace courtyard. Directional signs and event staff will help guide visitors throughout the event footprint and to Paul Hall Auditorium for the Ask Me Anything sessions.
Visitors who wish to enter the BME and PEP Capstone Expo Preview must complete the intellectual-property waiver at the designated waiver station. The waiver is not required for any other Open House activity.
The SSE Homecoming Open House is intended to be an outdoor event. If rain, severe weather, or other unsafe conditions prevent the outdoor parts of the event from taking place, we will potentially move some activities inside. Makerspace Live and Ask Me Anything sessions are already scheduled to be indoors and will take place. Please check this page and SSE social media channels for event-day updates.
For questions about the SSE Homecoming Open House, contact Jim Mahjoubian at jmahjoubian@tulane.edu.
SSE Homecoming Tailgate
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | TBD - Kickoff | Berger Family Lawn
Keep your Homecoming weekend going with the School of Science and Engineering! Join fellow alumni, students, faculty, families, and friends for the SSE Homecoming Tailgate before Tulane takes on Tulsa. Reconnect with familiar faces, meet new members of the SSE community, and get ready to cheer on the Green Wave.
