Associate Professor University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
SWE members at both the collegiate and professional level are often involved in K-12 outreach through local schools, their companies, and partner organizations. While this is important and should continue, there are also opportunities to engage in outreach by providing events targeting K-12 teachers. The UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition has introduced several different types events to help teachers augment science lessons, bring current research into the classroom, and excite students about future career opportunities in engineering. These include single day visits to campus or industry locations, extended multi-day immersion programs for current teachers, and programs targeting undergraduate students who are studying to become teachers. Sponsoring an event for K-12 students can influence the career goals and aspirations of those students, but sponsoring an event for teachers multiplies the impact on every student they will teach for many years to come.
Learning Objectives:
Describe successful formats that have been used for K-12 teacher outreach.
Identify resources for linking your research or work to K-12 science standards.
Develop a plan to incorporate teacher outreach into your section’s activities.
