Undergraduate & Graduate Programs

Service-learning Training

The following activities are designed to better equip our researchers with the skills, techniques, and strategies to teach and excite the pre-college science and engineering community.

Misconceptions in Science

Misconceptions in science can be major obstacles in teaching pre-college students science and engineering concepts. Students often construct knowledge on preconceived ideas that are incorrect and due to other factors in their lives they have a difficult time letting go of these misconceptions.

This workshop is designed to provide strategies for recognizing and addressing students’ preconceived notions and their conceptual misunderstandings of fundamental concepts. Improving our understanding of misconceptions and implementing techniques to address them will improve and strengthen the impact of our outreach efforts as teachers and mentors.

Demonstration Training Workshop

Demonstrations are one of the most significant teaching tools for introducing new ideas, conveying scientific concepts, stimulating scientific curiosity, and building appreciation for science. As a service-based education outreach Center, demonstrations are a critical link to connecting university resources and the K-12 community. This workshop describes three approaches to conducting demonstrations and a method for planning a demonstration presentation. The workshop uses a “learning by doing” approach and researchers will practice the methods discussed.

Learning Styles in the Pre-college Classroom

Everyone has a preferred learning style. Knowing and understanding our own learning styles not only helps us to learn more effectively, it also helps us become better teachers and mentors. By employing multiple learning styles while teaching we can reach more students and improve the success of our lessons. This workshop includes a discussion of multiple intelligences, a self-inventory, and learning styles strategies for the pre-college classroom.