Dialogue with the Centers for Chemical Innovation: Pioneering chemistry outreach and education

Abstract

The nine NSF funded Centers for Chem. Innovation (CCI) have been tasked not only with collaboratively advancing the frontiers of chem. research, but also with exploring new ways to share their science with the public. Each center tackles a different grand challenge in chem. and each of the centers has found unique ways to be actively engaged in chem. outreach and educational programming. Like CCI research, CCI outreach is high-risk, high reward; the approach to CCI chem. outreach is meant to be innovative and exptl. for every program and audience. Examples include museum exhibits, broadcast programs, blogging, and citizen science projects for the general public, informal science education for K-12 students, and professional development for their teachers. The CCIs recognize that through a broad range of outreach opportunities, not only are chemists and chem. educators being trained in effective chem. communication, but also diverse audiences, of all ages and backgrounds, are learning important chem. concepts, being exposed to various chem. science related fields and careers, and becoming more informed citizens. Chem. education outreach is important for everyone and its impacts extend well beyond the scientific community. A panel of Directors of Education, Outreach, and Diversity (EOD) from multiple CCIs will discuss how they develop programs, navigate hurdles, and evaluate progress. With the combined expertise of the EODs and their collaborators, the panel will present guiding philosophies, best practices, and success stories from effective outreach initiatives for K-12 and general audiences, as well as developing the science communication skills of researchers.