The SUNY Poly Spotlight Series is a robust collection of camps for kids and teens as well as events and workshops for people of all ages. Showcasing the expertise of SUNY Poly faculty and staff and our Mohawk Valley community, the series provides opportunities for fun and learning in the areas of STEM, the arts, athletics, wellness, and more.
Have an idea for an event? Email us at events@sunypoly.edu and let us know!
The gold listings are workshops or camps for middle and/or high school students with specific age ranges.
The green listings are athletic camps for middle and/or high school students with specific age ranges.
The blue listings are events and workshops for community members of all ages.
| 🪮💇🏿 ‘Braiding’ Across Cultures: A Black History Month Celebration: 2/6/26 (All Ages) |
Date: Friday, February 6
Time: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Description: During Black History Month, we celebrate the artistry, identity, and cultural heritage expressed through hair. Braiding Across Cultures invites our community to explore the roots of hair braiding traditions within the African and African Diaspora experience, as well as their influence around the world. Learn about the historical and social significance of braiding as a form of storytelling, resistance, and pride—while enjoying live demonstrations showcasing a variety of braiding styles and techniques. Members of our SUNY Poly community will also give us various hair braiding demonstrations.
Fee: Free/RSVP Required
Deadline: Register by Friday, February 6 at Noon
Participants: 40 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🧪 Oxidative Stress, Brought to You by Your Non-stick Pan: An Exploration of How Forever Chemicals May be Disrupting Normal Redox Balance Within Your Cells: 4/17/26 (All Ages) |
Date: Friday, April 17
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Dr. Lauren Endres, Associate Professor of Biology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Your favorite non-stick pan might make cooking easier — but at what cost to the environment and your health? This engaging talk explores “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, and how they’ve become a part of our everyday lives — from cookware and clothing to water and soil. Learn how these persistent substances may interfere with your body’s natural redox balance, contributing to oxidative stress at the cellular level. Through relatable examples and the latest research, Dr. Lauren Endres will uncover what oxidative stress really means, why it matters for your health, and the simple lifestyle choices she makes to help reduce exposure. Science has never been this accessible — or this important.
Fee: Free/RSVP Required
Deadline: Register by Friday, April 17 at Noon
Participants: 40 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🌍 The Origins of Life Through the Lens of a Physicist: 4/22/26 (All Ages) |
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Dr. Emilio Cobanera, Professor of Physics and Director of the Center for Safe and Secure AI Robotics at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Celebrate Earth Day 2026 with the Spotlight Series at “The Origins of Life Through the Lens of a Physicist.” This talk explores how the laws of physics – from the formation of stars and planets to the chemistry of early Earth – set the stage for life to emerge. Designed for a general audience, it offers a clear, accessible look at the cosmic and physical processes that made our planet habitable and what they reveal about the potential for life elsewhere.
Fee: Free/RSVP Required
Deadline: Register by Wednesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.
Participants: 30 (Max)
Register Now!
