Selected outreach programs at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications

Abstract

Through interviews with employees across all divisions of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), this paper provides practical guidelines for developing and offering K-12 and lifelong learning outreach activities related to advanced technologies. To find out more about NCSA outreach from the point of view of the providers, to capture their valuable experiences and to pass them on to others, the authors selected a sample of 16 employees across all NCSA divisions. They were interviewed individually in person, using a qualitative survey research instrument developed by Walker. The 16 employees were asked to focus on a specific outreach activity of their choice where they had active involvement (e.g., teaching, facilitation). They were then asked: (1) to describe the activity, its purpose and audience; (2) if it met intended results; (3) to describe any problems encountered; (4) what they learned from the experience; (5) advice they would give to others doing a similar activity; and (6) general observations on outreach and technology. This paper gives highlights of the outreach activities mentioned by the 16 persons, what they learned by doing them, their practical and candid advice to others wanting to do related outreach activities, and observations about future directions of technology for teaching and scientific endeavors.