Upcoming Tours
U-M Central Power Plant Tour
April 8, 2026 @ 10–11:30 a.m.
Have you ever wondered what actually happens when you flip a light switch? It’s not just magic—it’s a feat of massive engineering, precision, and high-voltage energy! We are thrilled to invite you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the UM Central Power Plant. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the heart of our grid and see exactly how we keep the lights on for thousands of homes and businesses.
🛠️ What’s on the Agenda?
- The Turbine Floor: Feel the literal hum of power as we visit the massive generators.
- The Control Room: See the "brain" of the operation where our engineers manage real-time energy flow.
- Future-Tech Talk: Learn about our latest initiatives in efficiency and sustainability.
- Q&A with the Experts: Bring your toughest questions for our lead operators.
***Note: You will be required to wear: long plants and closed toed shoes
The Central Power Plant will provide:
- Hard hats
- Safety glasses
- Tour guide listening devices
Register Now! Just 16 spaces in this tour!
Location: Central Power Plant - 1120 E. Huron Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Meet at the Plant entrance on Palmer Drive
Past Tours & Activities
Tour the UM-Flint Esports Center!
November 11 @ 2–4 p.m.
Join us for an immersive 2-hour tour of the University of Michigan-Flint Esports Center!
Luke Rimarcik, Esports Program Manager, will guide you through this cutting-edge facility designed for competitive gaming, collaboration, and innovation. Learn about the advanced technology powering the Esports Center, discover how it supports student engagement, and enjoy a Q&A session with staff. Don’t forget your camera — there will be great opportunities for photos throughout the tour!
Register Now! This tour is open to U-M Staff & Faculty who consider themselves part of the greater technology community at U-M. The tour is ~two hours long and will focus on the technology, gaming setups, and community resources available at the Esports Center. Limited to 25 people only! Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
- Time: 2–4 p.m.
- Photography welcome!
- Tour conditions: inside
Location & Parking
- Meet Location: Riverfront Conference Center, 2nd floor behind the elevator at the Esports Lab, University of Michigan-Flint campus. (Google Map)
- Parking: free parking at the parking structure attached to the conference center. (Google Map)
For more information, visit the UM-Flint Esports Website.
Mcity Tour: Testing the Limits
August 14 @ 12–1 p.m. • September 9 @ 12–1 p.m.
Tour Mcity, the world's first controlled environment designed to test automated vehicle technologies!
Mcity is a 32-acre simulated urban and suburban environment that includes a network of roads with intersections, traffic signs and signals, streetlights, building facades, sidewalks and construction obstacles. The mock city allows researchers to test new technologies in a controlled environment before testing them on public streets.
Mcity was developed as an interdisciplinary public-private partnership, bringing together industry, government, and academia to transform mobility. As part of the U-M Transportation Research Institute, Mcity helps advance safe and efficient transportation and mobility solutions for the benefit of society.
Tour Conditions: This is an outside walking tour on paved surfaces. Note: the parking area has gravel surfaces.
Tour The Big House & Crisler Arena
July 10 @ 10–11 a.m. • July 10 @ 2–3:30 p.m.
Join us for an exciting 90-minute tour starting at the iconic Michigan Stadium and concluding at the Crisler Center! Jerry Wood, Associate Athletic Director of Information Technology and Clark Smith, ITS Infrastructure Project Manager Lead will guide us through the technology that powers and enhances the game day experience.
- Walk (or run) through the tunnel
- Take a selfie at the 50 yard line
- See the locker rooms where generations of players have prepped for game day
- Discover the state-of-the-art technology that powers The Big House and Crisler
- Enjoy a Q&A session along with great photo opportunities.
For more information about parking and busses, visit The Athletic Department's map page and the U-M Transportation Services map.
Detroit Observatory Tour: Travel Back in Time!
June 27 @ 12–1 p.m. • July 11 @ 12–1 p.m.
Join us at the Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory and discover the observatory's technology, both old and new!
Built in 1854, it quickly became one of the top three observatories in the United States and helped launch the University of Michigan into becoming the great research university it is today. This tour covers both the historic building and the new addition that opened in 2022.
- Learn about the telescopes, see why the observatory was constructed the way it was.
- Hear about the astronomers who walked its floors in the 19th century — and the discoveries they made.
- Learn how the addition will ensure the Observatory remains relevant for the future.
- If the sky is clear the day of the tour there is a possibility of seeing the sun through the daytime telescope!
For more information, visit the observatory website.
The CoP Summer Social: A Celebration of our Communities of Practice
June 19 @ 12–2 p.m.
Join us at this special event dedicated to celebrating the positive impact of our Communities of Practice (CoP) have on our staff and organization. This enchanting garden party will take place in the beautiful Michigan League Courtyard Garden, providing the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of inspiration, exploration, and connection.
What to Expect
- Engaging Conversations: Learn about the benefits and collaborative spirit that CoP groups bring to our collective growth and learning.
- Inspiration: Increase awareness and discover how you can participate in and benefit from these dynamic communities.
- Refreshments: Enjoy delicious mocktails, a variety of appetizers, and delightful desserts.
Come and be part of a vibrant event aimed at inspiring broader participation among our colleagues. Whether you’re already involved or curious to learn more, this celebration is for you!
Dive Into Innovation: Tour U-M's Marine Hydrodynamics Lab
April 29 @ 12–1 p.m. • May 22 @ 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Register today to tour the Aaron Friedman Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory (MHL) at the University of Michigan. This suite of cutting-edge laboratories and facilities is dedicated to classic naval architecture experiments, renewable energy, and hydrodynamics research. Discover one of U-M’s premier research centers that is propelling advancements in fluid dynamics and marine engineering.
This is a unique opportunity to explore the sophisticated technology behind our hydrodynamics experiments, including wave-making techniques, advanced flow measurement tools, and real-time visualization systems. Witness firsthand how we capture and analyze complex data with precision instruments and state-of-the-art computer systems.
- Meeting Spot: Aaron Friedman Marine Hydrodynamic Laboratory, West Hall, 1085 S University Ave
- Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour begins.
- This tour is open to U-M Staff & Faculty who consider themselves part of the greater technology community at U-M.
Note: If Department of Defense related research schedules the facility across the tour times, we will have to reschedule the tour.
Michigan Technology Community Chili Cook-off 2025
Thursday, February 27, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join us in giving Winter a tasty farewell as we compete to see who can make the best pot of chili in all of MTC! Michigan Technology Community will provide beverages, toppings, corn chips and dessert.
Think your chili rocks? Show off your culinary skills by signing up to bring a chili by February 17. The first 20 entries will be accepted. Top three winners will claim the chili trophies and bragging rights for the year.
There'll be no winning chili without judges to taste them. Register to attend and come hungry to taste the chilis and cast your vote! A crowd vote will determine the winner. Votes will be tallied at 12:30 and winners announced shortly after.
While we will not have distinct categories, we hope some folks will consider bringing vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in addition to traditional beef-based chili.
The MTC Chili Cook-off was 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, at the Arbor Lakes Dome.
Parking is free at Arbor Lakes! For those taking U-M buses, the North-East Shuttle stops in front of Arbor Lakes. For more information, visit the ITS Arbor Lakes office information page.
Winners: MTC Chili Cook-Off 2025 - A Flavor Fiesta!
If you have questions we invite you to email [email protected]
Duderstadt Center Tours
January 8 @ 10:30 a.m. • January 16 @ 1:30 p.m. • January 24 @ 10:30 a.m.
Join colleagues from the Michigan Technology Community (MTC) for a fun and informational tour of the Duderstadt Center on North Campus. The Duderstadt Center is a unique place like no other! Staff, students, and faculty have the opportunity to come and engage with advanced technologies, learn new things, and expand their experiences to build their academic and career future.
Tours will last 30-60 minutes (based on questions) and will include visits to the Groundworks Media Lab, Design Labs 1 & 2, Audio Studios, Video Studio, Personal Studio Fabrication Underground, Multimedia Rooms, Visualization Studio, and the Gallery. (Access may be limited if a specific space is in use.)
If you have questions we invite you to email [email protected]
Michigan Aerospace Engineering Wind Tunnel Tours
October & November 2024
Michigan Technology Community members toured the U-M Aerospace Engineering Wind Tunnel facility at the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Building. This is a unique opportunity to explore one of the premier research facilities at U-M and learn about its cutting-edge applications in aerospace engineering. These tours are a great way to gain insight into the research and technology that drives advancements in aerodynamic studies and engineering.
There were a total of three tours, each taking one hour and there was a limit of 10 participants per tour.
Michigan Stadium Technology Tours
July 2024
The Michigan Technology Community hosted three, one-hour tours to see the technology that goes into providing the U-M game day experience occurred in July 2024 at Michigan Stadium. Each tour was limited to 25 participants, ensuring a personalized and informative experience.
Tours highlighted the cutting-edge technology used within the stadium. A Q&A session followed with a chance to take photos inside the stadium.
U-M School of Nursing Clinical Learning Center Tour
June 2024
Members of the Michigan Technology Community explored the Clinical Learning Center in the U-M School of Nursing on Thursday, June 20. This state-of-the-art facility was created to engage students in a dynamic, experiential learning environment. Attendees visited simulation suites with high-fidelity manikins to replicate realistic healthcare scenarios, allowing the students to apply their knowledge of nursing theory in an interactive, challenging, and safe learning environment.
U-M Clinical Simulation Center (CSC) and iSim Tour
April 2024
Dr. James Cooke, Executive Director of the U-M Clinical Simulation Center (CSC) led a Michigan Technology Community members on a tour of the CSC Med Sci II and iSim in April 2024.
The CSC Med Sci II is a comprehensive simulation space providing state-of-the-art learning environments for Michigan Medicine health care professionals and students to train. The facility offers two fully equipped replica Adult Patient Rooms with hi-fidelity adult manikins as well as two “Crossover Rooms” for Pediatric or Obstetric simulations that utilize hi-fidelity pediatric and birthing-mother manikins. Multi-functional Table-Top Task Trainers are also available as well as an ICU room and an Emergency Medicine resuscitation room.
Michigan IT Lunchtime Learning Sessions
Thursday, July 18 • Advanced Research Computing (ARC) Updates
Brock Palen, the director of Advanced Research Computing for Information and Technology Services, will provide updates and an overview of the research computing capabilities and the current packages available for researchers. Register to attend.
Recordings of Previous Sessions
Cellular at U-M • March 28, 2024
Watch the recording of the Cellular at U-M Lunchtime Learning Session to learn about interesting projects in the world of cellular! The presentation was provided by John Simpkins & Michael Leach, ITS Infrastructure.