What is our logo?
Our MRSEC logo shows the arrangement of atoms at the surface of a crystal. Crystals are made up of layers, or "planes" of atoms, perfectly stacked in an ordered pattern. Because this surface has been cut at a slight angle to the crystal planes, it appears "stepped" (we call this type of surface a vicinal surface). Modern scanned-probe microscopes, such as the STM, allow us to see the atoms at the surface of a crystal, producing images very similar to this one.

University of Maryland

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Pre-College Programs

Project Lead the Way

The UMD-MRSEC has formed a six-year partnership with Charles Herbert Flowers High School Project Lead the Way (PLTW) to implement its pre-engineering courses. In addition, MRSEC is a member of the PLTW advisory committee for PGCPS. PLTW is a pre-engineering program that introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college. Major goals of the program are to increase the number of young people who pursue engineering and engineering technology; provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all academically qualified students without regard to gender or ethnic origin; and contribute to the continuance of America’s national prosperity.

MRSEC provides students with classroom inquiry-based activities, hands-on university-based instruction days, and summer programs. The MRSEC program includes: