Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

Houston, Texas

Physics Department University of Houston

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 2

Introduction

• Principal Collaborators

• Mission, Goals, and Strategy

• Demographics–Greater Houston, TX (Region IV)

• Areas of Research Interest

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 3

Current Program Overview

• Early Inclusion of Students in Research

• Introduction to Particle Physics

• Research Opportunities for Teachers

• Web Pages for Teachers and Students

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 4

The Vision

- Web Interactivity - Student Research

Lead Associate - Research Experiences - Middle Schools &

Teachers Teachers - Cosmic Ray Analysis Science Fairs

Students! Students! - Saturday Physics - Elementary - GRID Schools &

Simulations

First Year Second Year Years 3-5 Years 5 & Beyond• Researcher• Teacher Collaborative • Student Community Physics Comes to Life for Students and

Community

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 5

Results

• Teacher Activities and Resources

• University Faculty, Teacher, and Saturday Physics

Participation

• Heightened Interest in Physics

• 1 Includes one private school.

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 6

A Student Responds

05 Mar 2005

…I have come to Saturday Physics all year, and these discussions

have really interested me in learning more about Physics and possibly

considering it as a future career. Saturday Physics has really shown me how

important Physics is to the world and how imperative it is that we continue

to make headway with new scientific discoveries. I especially enjoyed last

Saturday's discussion over the expansion of the universe. It is hard to

believe that discoveries like dark matter are still puzzling to even the

Smartest scientists. This summer I was hoping to find a job, and I would

love it if I could work with a Physicist…

A Student in Houston

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 7

i2u2• Collaborate with Dr. William J. Llope, Rice

University in the Development of Processed Star

Data for Excel Analysis• Introduce New Data Analysis Program in Summer

Workshops

• Extend to Live Data When Feasible

• Include Houston Museum of Natural Sciences for Further

Community Outreach

• Include New Senior Citizens Centers

• 1 Includes one private school.

December 12, 2005Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston 8

Conclusion• Strong Opportunity for Empowerment of

Teachers in Secondary Education

• Increased Educational Outreach from

University to Secondary Education

Significantly Increases Impact of and Interest

in Science Education

• Rapid Acceptance of Quarknet by Both Teachers

and Students Demonstrates Need and Benefit for

Increased Educational Outreach in the Houston

Community