Integrative Graduate
Education and
Research Traineeship

Highlight

The ConvEne IGERT Helps Broaden Participation

Elementary school students participating in IGERT science outreach.

Projects:

IGERT: ConvEne--Conversion of Energy Through Molecular...

Institution:

University of California at Santa Barbara

Primary Strategic Goal:

Discovery: Foster research that will advance the frontiers of knowledge, emphasizing areas of greatest opportunity and potential benefit and establishing the Nation as a global leader in fundamental transformational science and engineering.

Secondary Strategic Goal:

Research Infrastructure: Build the Nation's research capability through critical investments in advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyber infrastructure, and experimental tools.

Achievement/Results

ConvEne IGERT fellows have been participating in science outreach at local Santa Barbara elementary school science night events with the UCSB Material Research Laboratory’s “It’s a Material World” exhibit. Hands-on activities are offered that inspire inquiry into Materials Science related topics. IGERT fellows assisted elementary school students in exploring the properties of unusual materials, and learning about the present and future applications of the materials. As the program progresses, the IGERT Fellows are developing modules for such outreach that more closely link to research in energy conversion, and in particular, to renewable energy.

Address Goals

The activity helps increase public appreciation and enthusiasm for science — science nights are frequently attended by family members across many generations. In addition, it helps sow the seeds for future scientists and engineers.