CISTAR Pivots to Virtual Outreach for Middle Schools with Underrepresented Populations

Outcome/Accomplishment

Educators pivoted during the Covid pandemic to virtual outreach in middle schools with significant underrepresented student populations, with the support of the Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) based at Purdue University.

Impact/Benefits

During a pandemic in which educators struggled to provide quality education, teachers appreciated the assistance of the CISTAR program. Students enjoyed the virtual programs and received them enthusiastically, with 85 percent rating them positively.

Explanation/Background

The Center recruited CISTAR Fellows to develop age-appropriate CISTAR-related learning modules and science demonstrations, which were developed with assistance from Purdue's School of Languages and Cultures (SLC). The partners implemented procedures to make outreach accessible including platform capabilities, as well as translating and making accessible PowerPoint decks and other materials.

The educators also developed assessment measures to document initial impact and benefit, and will continue to assess all parties—middle school children, teachers, and CISTAR Fellows. The SLC will lead a working session at the CISTAR biannual meeting with middle school teachers and Fellows involved in outreach to discuss how to improve and grow the outreach program, inviting graduate Fellows who might be interested in outreach.

CISTAR graduate Fellows conducting science demonstrations in their kitchens for the benefit of middle school kids.

Location

West Lafayette, Indiana

e-mail

cistar@purdue.edu

website

https://cistar.us/

Start Year

Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability Icon
Energy and Sustainability Icon

Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure

Lead Institution

Purdue University

Core Partners

University of New Mexico, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Austin

Fact Sheet

CISTAR Fact Sheet.pdf
CISTAR graduate Fellows conducting science demonstrations in their kitchens for the benefit of middle school kids.

Outcome/Accomplishment

Educators pivoted during the Covid pandemic to virtual outreach in middle schools with significant underrepresented student populations, with the support of the Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) based at Purdue University.

Location

West Lafayette, Indiana

e-mail

cistar@purdue.edu

website

https://cistar.us/

Start Year

Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability Icon
Energy and Sustainability Icon

Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure

Lead Institution

Purdue University

Core Partners

University of New Mexico, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Austin

Fact Sheet

CISTAR Fact Sheet.pdf

Impact/benefits

During a pandemic in which educators struggled to provide quality education, teachers appreciated the assistance of the CISTAR program. Students enjoyed the virtual programs and received them enthusiastically, with 85 percent rating them positively.

Explanation/Background

The Center recruited CISTAR Fellows to develop age-appropriate CISTAR-related learning modules and science demonstrations, which were developed with assistance from Purdue's School of Languages and Cultures (SLC). The partners implemented procedures to make outreach accessible including platform capabilities, as well as translating and making accessible PowerPoint decks and other materials.

The educators also developed assessment measures to document initial impact and benefit, and will continue to assess all parties—middle school children, teachers, and CISTAR Fellows. The SLC will lead a working session at the CISTAR biannual meeting with middle school teachers and Fellows involved in outreach to discuss how to improve and grow the outreach program, inviting graduate Fellows who might be interested in outreach.