Integration of Education,
Outreach and Diversity Programs
Tanjula Farlough
Director of Education and Outreach
Tuskegee University
Center for Advanced Materials (T-CAM)
Tuskegee, AL
NSF Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S)
Cambridge, MA
November 8, 2010
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION MISSION
FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
NSF is committed to fostering connections between
discoveries and their use in service to society
through education and outreach programs.
The knowledge provided by NSF-funded projects
should offer a rich foundation for its broad and
useful application.
(NSF GPRA Strategic Plan 2001- 2006)
EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Primary Goal: Increase and strengthen Tuskegee’s diverse pipeline of
engineering and science students who will enter the
future workforceand graduate programs.
.
Motivate and
excite students
Recruit minority
students to
increase
participation in
STEM
Improve the
deliveries of
outreach
programs
The Mission of T-CAM
•To strive for a fundamental understanding of the nature
of advanced materials towards the goal of industrial and
military applications
•To motivate and educate minority students,
undergraduate through Ph.D., in the science and
engineering of advanced materials
NSF-CREST
Synthesis, Manufacturing
and Characterization of
Structural Nanocomposites
NSF-RISE
Resrarch Infrastructure in
Science and Education of
Nano Materiuaterials
NSF-PREM
Partnership for Research
and Education in nano
Materials Science and
Engineering
NSF-REU
TU REU Site in Material
Science and Engineering
NSF-IGERT
Multidisciplinary Graduate
Education and Research
Training in Nanomaterials
Science and Engineering
Center for Advanced
Materials
(T-CAM)
RESEARCH ROGRAMS
NSF/EPSCOR
Alabama Center for
Structural Nano Materials
US Air Force - AFRL
The Minority Leaders
Nanocomposites Research
and Education Program
US Army- ARO
Center of Excellence for
Battlefield Capability
Enhancement
ONR
Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Nanocomposites for Marine
Applications
US Army Construction
Engineering Laboratory
Durability and Life
Assessment of FRP
Composites for Army
Facilities
EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAM
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Education/outreach/diversity with fully integrated
research
Exposing students to broad career paths
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Allows for some risk-taking in helping trainees find career
paths
Providing a strong education team
Ongoing assessment in addition to formal evaluation
to improve programs
EDUCATION
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Course Development
Involvement of students in Research
Student and faculty interactions with MRSECs
Mentoring Workshops
Workshops of Graduate School Opportunities
DIVERSITY IN OUTREACH PROGRAMS
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•
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Diversity mission in outreach programs is to increase
the number of underrepresented groups in science
and engineering by fostering increased interest in:
Staff
Students
Faculty
MENTORING WORKSHOP

The objective of this workshop was to train graduate students to become
effective mentors and consider academic positions.

TU sponsored a mentoring workshop through the PREM grant for graduate
students in Materials Science and Engineering.

The invitation was also extended to the students pursuing PhD degrees in
Integrative Biosciences as well as junior members of TU faculty. The
workshop presenters included Dr. Keith Hargrove, Chair of Department of
Industrial, Manufacturing and Information Engineering, Morgan State
University and Dr. Christopher Umbach, Visiting Scientist, Department of
Materials Science and Engineering Cornell University. Following the
presentation by these two, a student panel discussion was held.
MENTORING WORKSHOP
Annual Mentoring Workshop
Dr. Howard Adams
Dr. Amanda Goodson
CEO, H. G. Adams & Associates and
former Executive Director of GEM
Senior Manager, Quality and Mission Assurance,
Raytheon Missile Systems
Dr. Melissa Hines
Director, Materials Research Science and
Engineering Center (MRSEC), Cornell
University
MENTORING WORKSHOPS
2007 Mentoring Workshop
•
Dr. Howard G. Adams, CEO, H.G. Adams Associates
•
Dr. Amanda Goodson, Senior Scientist, Raytheon Missile Systems
•
Dr. Melissa Himes, Professor of Chemistry, Director of MRSEC, Cornell University
2008 Mentoring Workshop
•
Dr. Joseph s. Francisco, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Purdue University
Dr. Anil Netravali, Professor, Textile Engineering, Cornell University
Dr. Kit Umbach, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
2008 Mentoring Workshop
•
Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Chairman, Department of Industrial, Manufacturing &
Information Engineering Department; Morgan State University
•
Dr. Christopher Umbach, Visiting Assistant Professor/Visiting Scientist, Department of
Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University
2010 Mentoring Workshop
•
Dr. Howard G. Adams, CEO, H.G. Adams Associates
•
Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Dean, College of Engineering, Tennessee State University
•
Dr. Melissa Himes, Professor of Chemistry, Director of MRSEC, Cornell University
ANNUAL WORKSHOP ON GRADUATE SCHOOL
OPPORTUNITIES
Primary Objective:
Motivate students to pursue graduate studies in STEM fields
Secondary Objective:
Recruit minority graduate students for the STEM fields
GRADUATE SCHOOL/STUDENT
OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP

Goal 1: Provide Awareness of
Opportunities in Nano-Bio
Programs in Alabama:
Educational and Professional

Goal 2: Inspire Students to
Enter Graduate STEM Degree
Areas and Pursue Related
Careers
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
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Research Experience for High school students (REH)
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
Nano-Bio Science Academy for Teachers (NBSAT)
Science and Technology Open House
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR HIGH SCHOOL GOALS
The Research Experiences for High School students (REH) program recruits highly motivated and qualified students in the
neighboring counties, wishing to gain first hand experience in Material Sciences, and conduct field research under the
direct supervision of graduate students and mentors from Tuskegee University. The program has the broad goal of
developing and sustaining innovative, technology-enriched initiatives that motivate student learning in STEM and engage
high school students in pursuing scientific and technical careers.
REH STUDENT RESEARCH
Exploration in Electrical Engineering -Transistors and
Solar Cells: Emilia Tolbert, Mehvish Anwar, Keyara
Moore
Effect of Wood Flour Treatment on the
Properties of Epoxy Composites: Bianca
Davis
Chemical and Physical Properties of Lip Gloss
Alexandria Bufford & Khawla Suhaila
REH STUDENT RESEARCH
Effect of Chemical & Natural Hair Lightening Treatments on
the Properties of Human Hair:
Juanita Grant and Derriya Sankey
Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour Reinforced
Polyurethane Composites
Tyquan McMillan, Whitney Shannon, and Micheal
Wallace
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES
•
Increase the number of undergraduate minorities involved in
material science and engineering research
•
Foster improvements in student technical writing and
presentation skills
•
Introduce students to research ethics
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Provide contact with minority science role models
REU ACTIVITIES
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Safety/Lab Orientation Day
Ethics seminar
(philosophy, National Center for Bioethics)
Introduction to Research course
GRE Prep weekend (Genius 360)
• Ethics field trip to New Orleans
in combination with Integrative
Biosciences
• REU Research projects (~40
hours/week); all assigned to
graduate student mentor
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR TEACHERS
•
The goal is to help build long-term
collaborative partnerships between K-12
science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) teachers by involving
the teachers in research and helping them
translate their research experiences and
new knowledge of STEM into classroom
activities.
•
The program supports the active
involvement of K-12 teachers providing
them with an intense four-week research
exposure
•
Teachers work with faculty at Tuskegee
University biology and chemistry
laboratories as a team to understand
equipment usage and solve research
problems set out by faculty.
NANO BIO SCIENCE ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS
The overall goal is to excite teachers about nano and bio sciences
to take excitement and program teaching materials and modules
back to students.
Nano-Bio Science Academy for Teachers (NBSAT)” will focus on
the professional development of teachers with an emphasis of
nano and biotechnology. In addition, the academy will provide
strategies proven effective with at-risk and diverse learners to
increase minority participation in STEM.
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10 days with SECME at Clemson University
10 Alabama Teachers received
$500 stipends in addition to paid travel &
lodging for 10 days while at Clemson
2010: 10 RET
90% African American
10% Caucasian
80% Female
20% Male
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE
To hold 1 day event annually
showcasing programs and
campus with lab and facility
tours.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE
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Inform Larger Community
Research Generated
K-12/Post-Secondary Teachers
and Students
Civic/Government
Organizations
Day Long Program
Student Posters/Presentations
Includes REU, RET, REH
100 Participants Per Year (50 Minority)
OVERALL EDUCATION & OUTREACH OBJECTIVES
To change culture of higher education through training of graduate
students, as the next generation of researchers and innovators, on
education and outreach activities.
To research and evaluate a method for incorporating research-based
activities into K-12 programs as an innovative partnership model.
WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION & OUTREACH
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Maintaining communication with all audiences and
stakeholders
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Meeting regularly to maintain communication and
increase mutual trust
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Providing data of program progression (formative and
summative)
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Maintain flexibility and willingness to readily adapt to
change are key elements in the process
WHAT DOES NOT WORK IN EDUCATION & OUTREACH
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Working in isolation
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Assuming we know what our audiences need
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Creating programs without audience participation
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Reinventing the wheel
ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
UNDERSTANDING TO COMMUNITY AND CONSTITUIENTS
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Partner with museums, science centers, and similar institutions to
develop exhibits in science, math, and engineering.
Involve the public or industry, where possible, in research and
education activities.
Give science and engineering presentations to the community.
Integrate research with education activities in order to communicate
in a wide-range context.
EVOLVE COMPREHENSION WHILE PROMOTING
TEACHING, TRAINING AND LEARNING
•Integrate research activities into the teaching of science, math and
engineering at all educational levels (e.g., K-12, undergraduate science
majors, non-science majors, and graduate students).
• Include students (e.g., K-12, undergraduate science majors, nonscience majors, and /or graduate students) as participants in the
proposed activities as appropriate.
• Participate in the recruitment, training, and/or professional
development of K-12 science and math teachers.
• Involve graduate and post-doctoral researchers in undergraduate
teaching activities.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR E3S
•Develop and partner with existing mentoring programs to increase the
recruitment and retention of college students and researchers in the field
of Electronics.
•Establish professional development programs for educators and
opportunities for pre-college students to gain a greater understanding of
Electronics and Engineering.
•Leadership must provide a vision in the development of educational
programs.
•Train educators and researchers to be engaged.
•Promote increasing knowledge and awareness of Electronics and, their
key roles in Engineering processes.
QUESTIONS
Integration of Education,
Outreach and Diversity Programs
Tanjula Farlough
farlought@tuskegee.edu
(334) 727-8236
Director of Education and Outreach
Tuskegee University
Center for Advanced Materials (T-CAM)
Tuskegee, AL
NSF Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S)
Cambridge, MA
November 8, 2010