The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center for Advanced Oxides at the University of Houston (MRSEC-UH) is concerned about K-12 science education. The United States will continue to need well educated scientists and engineers that can advance scientific knowledge and the technology that grows from that knowledge. In addition, those students who choose other careers will also benefit from a strong K-12 science education. In our increasingly technological society, scientific literacy has become necessary for all students.
Pre-college students need to develop skills and interest in science and mathematics if they are to seek science and engineering majors at the university level. The preparation and professional development of K-12 teachers is a crucial component of this process because quality math and science teaching is key to raising student achievement. In addition, the importance that society places on materials science and engineering also plays a role in attracting students to these fields. Therefore, our educational outreach programs focus on the preparation and professional development of teachers, on increasing student interest and achievement in science and mathematics, and on promoting interest and understanding about materials science and engineering among the general public.
MRSEC Office of Public Affairs
Houston Science Center
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-5002
E-mail: sbutler@uh.edu
713-743-8210
713-743-8201 FAX
| Regional STAT Mini-CAST for K-12 Science Teachers | |
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A regional Mini-CAST (Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching) is hosted by MRSEC-UH in conjunction with the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston (TCSUH), the Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center (SVEC), and the Science Teacher Association of Texas (STAT). This conference provides professional development opportunities for Houston area elementary school, middle school, and high school science teachers. It is an opportunity for science teachers to learn about current research in materials science from MRSEC-UH, TCSUH, and SVEC researchers, to learn new science teaching methods from master teachers and university college of education faculty, to gain new hands-on activities, labs and demonstrations that they can take back to their classrooms, and to discuss issues in science education. The 1998 Mini-CAST Winter Conference was held January 31, 1998 and featured plenary sessions by Dr. Allan Jacobson, Director of MRSEC-UH and Dr. Paul C. W. Chu, Director of TCSUH and presentations by master teachers and by science educators from the University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A & M University, the Houston Zoological Gardens, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. |
The 1999 Mini-CAST Winter Conference will be held on February 6, 1999. Registration is by mail only and must be completed by January 23, 1999. The non-refundable fee is $10. Lunch will be provided at no additional charge. This year's Mini-CAST will feature workshops by the Houston Area Physics Teachers in addition to workshops by other master science teachers and university and informal science educators. When the agenda is completed, it will be posted on the web site. |
| Science Carnival | |
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MRSEC-UH faculty, postdoctoral fellows,
and graduate students conducted hands-on activities along with
volunteers from TCSUH, SVEC, the UH Department of Chemistry,
the UH Department of Physics, the UH Department of Chemical Engineering,
the UH Department of Biology and Biochemistry, the UH Society
of Physics Students, the UH American Chemical Society Student
Affiliates, the UH Bioscience Graduate Society, the Greater Houston
Section of the American Chemical Society, Shell Chemicals Westhollow
Technology Center, The Children's Museum of Houston, and the
Houston Zoological Gardens. |
| Workshops and Presentations for Science Teachers and Science Educators | |
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Workshops and presentations are routinely given for science teacher professional organizations, for science education professional organizations, and upon request at local school district or school in-services. |
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| DeZavala Elementary in Houston ISD is located near the University of Houston. MRSEC-UH is working with teachers at DeZavala to provide needed science education resources and to increase interest in science among their students. Ninety fifth-graders attended our Science Carnival on November 5, 1998. Student responses to the carnival and Robert Botto's Chemistry Demonstration Show were enthusiastic. In addition, a Kids and Chemistry Program has been initiated at DeZavala in which MRSEC-UH volunteers visit classrooms and do hands-on activities with students at all grade levels. Each 3-6th grade teacher will soon receive Wonder Science magazine which contains hands-on activities for their students, and there will be monthly workshops available for teachers who want to try these activities. MRSEC-UH volunteers also judged at the recent DeZavala Science Fair. These programs are partially funded by a gift from Exxon Chemical Americas and the Greater Houston Section of the American Chemical Society. |  |
| Teague Middle School Girls Engaging in Math and Science (GEMS) Program | |
| Teague Middle School in Aldine ISD has a program for 7th grade girls called Girls Engaging in Math and Science (GEMS). The program encourages girls to become interested in math and science during middle school so that they will enroll in advanced math and science courses in high school. One component of the program is providing mentors for the girls. The mentors act as guides for their science fair projects. During the 1998-1999 school year three MRSEC-UH volunteers are mentoring GEMS participants. At the recent Teague Middle School Science Fair, all three of the girls placed and will be continuing on to the Aldine District Science Fair. |  |
MRSEC-UH in conjunction with TCSUH and SVEC present special awards for senior division projects in materials science and engineering. Representatives from MRSEC-UH, TCSUH, and SVEC judge the projects. At the 40th. Science Engineering Fair of Houston, three projects were awarded Commended Project Certificates and one project was awarded an Outstanding Project Certificate which included a $300 award.
| Tours for Teachers and Students | |
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Tours of MRSEC-UH research facilities are conducted upon request for elementary, middle schools, and high school students and their teachers. Specialized tours for specific educational outcomes and for the purpose of science teacher professional development can also be arranged. |
MRSEC-UH volunteers judge science fairs and other science and engineering school competitions. We are also involved in science education organizations at the local, state, and national levels, and serve on advisory panels as requested.
If you are a teacher and have a question about materials science,
then you will be interested in Teachers
ask a MRSEC Scientist. This on-line educational resource enables
teachers to find out about the nature of materials from MRSEC-UH
scientists directly.
Related Resources and Links
American Assoc. of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
National Science Teachers Assoc. (NSTA)
Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
MRSEC-UH and TCSUH, in conjunction with departments
from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, hold an
annual Science Carnival during National Chemistry Week. Approximately
250 fifth-grade students, parents, and teachers from the Houston
area attend. The