Community Outreach

Family Science Programs

Working directly with students, families, and the broader community is an important component of the UMD-MRSEC’s service-based education outreach mission. Family programs include Family Experimental Night, Family Science Nights, and Science Expositions for Students and Families. These programs effectively connect the expertise of researchers with the inquisitive minds of students and their families.

Family Experimental Night

In this program, elementary school families work one-on-one with MRSEC mentors to develop students’ science fair projects. This program consists of three meetings: (1) experimental design, (2) process and analysis results and presenting data using Excel, and (3) creating a PowerPoint presentation.

Family Science Nights

MRSEC presents a fun and informative science talk at local schools followed by six hands-on activities at separate stations in the school auditorium. Both students and parents learn new concepts about physics and Nanoscience.

Science Expositions for Students and Families

In this middle school program, MRSEC mentors present topics on cutting-edge research to students and parents in two sessions. The presentations include demonstrations and a discussion.