| The recent economic downturn
has caused many corporations to decrease their investment in basic research
and scale back programs aimed at fostering interest and achievement in
science and engineering among young people. But one creative alliance
has bolstered education outreach in scientific study.
The NSF-sponsored Engineering
Research Center for Mid-InfraRed Technologies for Health and the Environment
(MIRTHE) has partnered with Bell Laboratories’ Young Science Achievers
Program (YSAP), a high school outreach program, to help bring science and
engineering to young people. MIRTHE graduate students, postdocs,
and faculty serve as research mentors to high students, and MIRTHE supports
many YSAP events that bring university labs together with students.
In 2008, the MIRTHE-YSAP partnership connected with nearly 200 students
from over 20 schools; more than two-thirds of the students were women,
and more than half came from underrepresented groups.
The partnership, which began
in the 2007/2008 school year, helps YSAP meet its goals which include:
augmenting science and engineering education in classrooms through experiential
learning that engages and excites students; introducing female and minority
students to opportunities in science and engineering education and careers;
and building and enhancing relationships between schools and research labs
for mutual benefit.
Outreach such as the MIRTHE-YSAP
partnership will have a significant impact on many a young persons’ career
outlook, and will help invigorate the science and engineering disciplines. |
