JILA PFC PISEC Projects at CU-Boulder
Opportunities are available to participate!
PISEC studies the effect of the outreach program on K-12 populations under represented in the sciences such as Hispanic, African American and economically disadvantaged youth in addition to the effect on university students participating in the program. For the children, we are interested in changes in content knowledge and changes in attitudes and beliefs about science. Assessment is as important in after school programs as it is in formal educational environments to ensure that the resources we bring are used effectively.
For the university students, we are interested in changes in teaching ability, changes in the ability to communicate in everyday language, and changes in attitudes and beliefs about outreach. Many graduate students and post docs never have the opportunity to teach during their training, but may be expected to teach as a good portion of the faculty positions they will seek. Speaking in accessible language to children and the general public may increase science literacy, and provide an opportunity for the individual to be an ambassador for science. The institutional identity that outreach to diverse populations is a part of science training is an important part of the PISEC program. The university students of today become the scientists and faculty of tomorrow.