SUNY Poly Spotlight Series

04/10/2026

Some upcoming events you don't want to miss! Visit www.sunypoly.edu/spotlight for more info.

11/18/2025

Tonight’s SUNY Poly Spotlight Series event was sold out. Had to bring out an additional 15 chairs as well. A big thanks to all who came out and also to our presenter, Dr. Bob Penna, Theoretical Physicist and Assistant Professor of Physics at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

09/22/2025

at SUNY Polytechnic Institute

09/22/2025

Tonight’s SUNY Poly Spotlight Series’
“Wool Felting for Beginners: Create Your Own Wool Felted Mushroom Workshop” at SUNY Polytechnic Institute is going great! A big thanks to Eric Freeman, our Wool Felting Artist. 🍄

09/05/2025

🚀 Tonight at 6 PM — Dive into the Cosmos! 🌌

Join us for “The Big Bang: From First Light to Webb’s New Discoveries” — a family-friendly, all-ages event exploring the universe’s earliest moments and the groundbreaking discoveries unveiled by the James Webb Space Telescope.

⏰ When: Friday, September 5, 2025 | 6:00 PM

📍 Where: SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Student Center, Utica, NY

💸 Admission: Free to attend!

What to Expect:

⭐Engaging astronomy insights perfect for all ages.

⭐A dynamic journey from the Big Bang’s first light to the latest cosmic revelations.

⭐Inspiring visuals and talk—ideal for students, families, and space lovers alike.

Why You Should Come:

⭐Learn about the universe from its birth to now.

⭐Celebrate the wonders revealed by the Webb telescope.

⭐A fun, inclusive evening that sparks curiosity and awe.

Spread the Word:

Bring friends, share the excitement, and let’s make this a star-studded night!

Register Right Now:

https://bigbangatsuny.eventbrite.com

04/07/2025

Only 1 week until World Quantum Day — Monday, April 14th! 🧠⚛️
Celebrate with a free hands-on workshop for ages 12+:
Quantum Games: Exploring Superposition Through Play
🕓 Monday, April 14 | 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY
🎮 Learn the basics of quantum physics and play Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe — a classic game with a quantum twist!
🔗 RSVP for Free: https://form.jotform.com/Polyfoundation/quantum-games

Please click the link to complete this form.

03/27/2025

Today, SUNY Polytechnic Institute comes together as a community to make an impact. It’s our Day of Giving—a time to show our Wildcat pride and support the students, programs, and opportunities that make our university extraordinary. For the next 24 hours we hope you will consider making an impactful gift.

No matter the amount, your gift makes a difference. Whether you give $5, $50, or $500, every dollar directly benefits our students by funding scholarships, enhancing academic programs, strengthening athletics, and providing hands-on learning experiences.

This day isn’t just about giving—it’s about coming together as alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends to invest in the future of SUNY Poly. Today, your gift can go even further! Make a gift today by visiting sunypoly.edu/dayofgiving or call the SUNY Poly Foundation at (315) 792-7273.

03/20/2025

Thanks to everyone that came out to 💐 Mind Matters: Embracing Well-Being This Spring at SUNY Polytechnic Institute this evening with our featured speaker, Dr. Rebecca Weldon, Associate Professor of Cognitive Psychology at SUNY Poly. Part of the SUNY Poly Spotlight Series!

02/05/2025

01/08/2025

Take a look at what we have coming up (so far) in the Spring 2025 SUNY Poly Spotlight Series; a collection of events, workshops, and camps for people of all ages. It's a little bit of fun for everyone! Visit www.sunypoly.edu/spotlight! Registration is now open. 🎟️🥳

12/11/2024

Way to go Sofronio Vasquez!

WINNER || Utica's Sofronio Vasquez has won "The Voice!"

12/04/2024

UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute is excited to announce the grand finale of its Fall 2024 Spotlight Series with a thought-provoking lecture by Dr. Emilio Cobanera, Associate Professor of Physics and Director for the Center for Safe and Secure AI Robotics at SUNY Poly. The event, titled “👽 SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Technological Intelligence Part Two: If They Exist (and They Should), Why Can’t We See Them? Implications for Science and Technology,” will take place on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. within the Multi-Purpose Room at SUNY Poly’s Student Center. This engaging lecture is a must-attend for science enthusiasts, students, and community members curious about the mysteries of the cosmos and humanity’s place within it.

“The SUNY Poly Spotlight Series is an opportunity to bring communities together so that we can explore groundbreaking ideas in STEM and beyond,” said Bill Dustin, Chair of the SUNY Poly Spotlight Series and Coordinator of University Conferencing and Events at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “Events like Dr. Cobanera’s lecture not only showcase the exceptional expertise of our faculty, but also inspire curiosity and foster connections between SUNY Poly and the broader community. We’re thrilled to provide a platform where knowledge and discovery can spark meaningful conversations and shared learning experiences.”

The lecture will be held in the Student Center Multi-Purpose Room on SUNY Poly’s Utica campus, located at 100 Seymour Road in Utica, NY. Attendance is free, but space is limited to no more than 60 participants, so registration is required by noon on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Dr. Cobanera’s presentation promises to captivate attendees with an exploration of one of science’s most perplexing questions: Why have we not yet seen evidence of extraterrestrial technological civilizations? The discussion will delve into the “Fermi Paradox,” examining how the absence of techno-signatures challenges fundamental pillars of modern science and what this might mean for our understanding of the universe, as well as the future of science and technology.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
• Fee: Free (RSVP required)
• Registration Deadline: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, by Noon
• Capacity: 60 participants

Join us as we close out the Fall 2024 Spotlight Series with this fascinating journey into the search for extraterrestrial intelligence!

To register for the event or for more information, please visit www.sunypoly.edu/spotlight.