UCI Science Outreach Initiative/Partnership with Local High Schools
Mission and vision: The mission of this initiative is to strengthen existing partnerships, in addition to fostering new collaborations, between high school science programs and UCI research labs. We currently work with Westminster High School whose student demographic is more than half underrepresented minority and 78% are from low-income families and Santiago High School whose student demographic is more than three quarters underrepresented minority and over 80% are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Additionally, we seek to help graduate students sharpen their science communication and teaching skills. Altogether, we hope to inspire young students to pursue careers in science, and ultimately, help to increase their preparedness for college-level study. Our vision is that these efforts will lead to the University and the scientific enterprise overall becoming more accessible to the community at large.
Specific program objectives:
- Increase high school students’ exposure to professional-level, scientific research and careers in science
- Provide graduate students with the opportunity to practice communicating their research in an engaging and exciting manner
- Encourage mentor/mentee relationships between graduate students and high school students
General program format:
- Graduate students will present their research in 10-15 minute presentations to high school students on the UCI campus. Presentation will include section on how to become a scientist/pursue a PhD and what careers can do with a PhD in science field.
- Immediately following the presentation, graduate students will lead a tour of their lab and a 30-minute lab activity, and 30-minute group activity (e.g. case studies) with the high school students.
- Prior to the presentation day, graduate student presenter will work together with other club members and high school teachers on brainstorming activities to do with high school students and receive feedback on their research presentation (presentation style, content, understandable for grade level, etc.)
Target Audiences: High school juniors and graduate students of all levels