Abstract
In an effort to increase science exposure for pre-college (K-12) students and as part of the science education reform agenda, many biomedical research institutions have established university-community partnerships. Typically, these science outreach programs consist of pre-structured, generic exposure for students, with little community engagement. However, the use of a medium that is accessible to both teachers and scientists, electronic web-based matchmaking (E-matching) provides an opportunity for tailored outreach utilizing a community-based participatory approach (CBPA), which involves all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the science outreach based on the interests of teachers/students and scientists. E-matching is a timely and urgent endeavor that provides a rapid connection for science engagement between teachers/students and experts in an effort to fill the science outreach gap. National Lab Network (formerly National Lab Day), an ongoing initiative to increase science equity and literacy, provides a model for engaging the public in science via an E-matching and hands-on learning approach. We argue that science outreach should be a dynamic endeavor that changes according to the needs of a target school. We will describe a case study of a tailored science outreach activity in which a public school that serves mostly under-represented minority students from disadvantaged backgrounds were E-matched with a university, and subsequently became equal partners in the development of the science outreach plan. In addition, we will show how global science outreach endeavors may utilize a CBPA, like E-matching, to support a pipeline to science among under-represented minority students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. By merging the CBPA concept with a practical case example, we hope to inform science outreach practices via the lens of a tailored E-matching approach.
Highlights
Studies in science education indicate teachers/students and scientists
We will describe a case study of a tailored science outreach activity in which a public school that serves mostly under-represented minority students from disadvantaged backgrounds were E-matched with a university, and subsequently became equal partners in the development of the science outreach plan
Scientists and teachers are matched on a variety of parameters including subject matter, geographic location, grade level, interests, need, and other factors (Figure 1). This model allows for teachers to connect with STEM experts who can tailor an outreach based on the specific needs of teachers and students
Summary
Tailoring Science Outreach through E-Matching Using a Community-Based Participatory Approach. In an effort to increase science exposure for pre-college (K–12) students and as part of the science education reform agenda, many biomedical research institutions have established university–community partnerships. These science outreach programs consist of pre-structured, generic exposure for the science field as I am now. The use of a medium that is accessible to both teachers and scientists, electronic web-based matchmaking (E-matching) provides an opportunity for tailored outreach utilizing a communitybased participatory approach (CBPA), which involves all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the science outreach based on the interests of
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