Creating Effective University‐K12 Outreach Partnerships

Through collaboration with university research faculty and local K‐12 school systems, Louisiana Tech University's (LA Tech) ‘Creating Connections’ program is integrating molecular science and nanotechnology into the K‐12 curriculum. Specifically, the Creating Connections Program goals are to: (1) establish hands‐on science laboratories in partner schools, (2) provide professional development and increased content knowledge for partner teachers, and (3) provide teachers (and their students) with authentic research and scientific experiences. In the summer, teachers participate in selected professional development programs designed as a hands‐on, inquiry‐based experience to introduce LA Tech research into the K12 classroom. Through a series of academic year workshops, partner teachers, in conjunction with LA Tech research faculty, generate lab modules tailored to the grade‐specific curriculum. In addition to their involvement in research, the professional development component of the program provides an introduction to equipment used for nanoscale research, data interpretation and analysis, and how to ‘critique’ the scientific literature. Teachers develop and implement, a classroom‐learning module integrates their nanoscience research experience into the K12 curriculum. Grant Funding Source : National Science Foundation, Shell