K-12 Collaborations and Activities
Early College and Career Awareness Program
As part of our pre-college initiative to stimulate interest in science and engineering careers, Center faculty participate in Project TEACH (The Educational Activities of Cambridge and Harvard). The Project Teach model uses a research-based approach that focuses on communicating college and career goals, sharing resources, developing partnerships between students and colleges, and involving families. This early college awareness program had been a joint effort of the MRSEC, the NSEC based at Harvard, and the Harvard Office of Community Affairs, and now includes many additional partners. Coordinated with the Cambridge Public Schools, Project TEACH brings each 7th grade class from the Cambridge Public School District to Harvard University throughout the school year. During the day, students receive information about college admissions, and learn about college life from Harvard undergraduates. The class visit culminates in an interactive science presentation by a MRSEC faculty member on his or her research and its societal benefits.
Research Internships for Cambridge High School Students
Beginning in 2005, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School offered a new course, "Research Seminar in Science, Technology, and Design," for advanced students. This innovative course is part of the Cambridge Science Initiative, which seeks to provide extraordinary opportunities for all students and teachers in Cambridge Public Schools through partnerships with universities, industry, and other community partners. The MRSEC faculty and staff act as a resource for developing and implementing this new course by providing access to laboratories and giving feedback on student presentations.
Research Opportunities for Teachers
MRSEC faculty and researchers work with teachers on educational and research projects through an REU/RET Site in Materials Research. See the RET: Research Experience for Teachers program details and application materials.
About Educational Programs with Harvard MRSEC
Kathryn Hollar, Director of Community Engagement and Diversity Outreach
Education Highlights with Kathryn Hollar
Spicing up science, Teachers use food to transform their classrooms
Integrating traditional and academic knowledge, SEAS symposium explores engineering contributions of Indigenous peoples
A bridge from undergraduate to graduate studies, Post-baccalaureate program help students transition to the next academic level
Sweet, sweet Pi science, MRSEC hosts Pi Day program for local middle schoolers
https://seas.harvard.edu/news/2023/07/photo-gallery-science-and-cooking-workshop-native-american-students, SEAS teaches elasticity and crosslinking through tortillas and boba
Young, female, Native American, scientist, Students took part in summer research program for undergrads
Aspiring to inspire, Student-run materials science demonstrations showcase diversity in STEM
SEAS students showcase STEM for high school girls, On Saturday April 7, high school girls from the Boston area experienced a day of science, engineering, and technology during SET in the City, an annual program sponsored by area universities to inspire girls to consider STEM careers.
A novel project, Literature, engineering collide during middle school outreach effort
Scientific salsa, Outreach program provides ingredients for STEM inspiration
Showcasing opportunities in STEM, Hands-on science labs inspire Native American high school students
Eighth-grade ingenuity, Cambridge students bring science projects to campus
School of hard science, Graduate student offers advice, encouragement at middle school science fair
Science lesson brings sweet rewards, Chemistry’s role in chocolate bars shows kids the science behind food
Inspiring the next generation of scientists, Middle school girls learn about robotics and 3D printing at SEAS
Food for thought, Local kids learn the science behind cooking food
Experiments in learning, Researchers give grade-schoolers a glimpse of scientific methods
Spark of science, Showcase for eighth-graders’ projects a collaborative effort
A pragmatic way to teach science, SEAS volunteers share knowledge with schoolchildren
Sharing a love for science, Local eighth-graders flock to SEAS for science showcase
No summer lull in learning, Cambridge, Boston neighborhoods and campus were alive with Harvard-supported activity
Feeding culinary curiosity, Local kids join chefs and scientists in kitchen as part of SEAS program
Sampling Harvard, and science, Step UP/Project TEACH event exposes young students to aspects of college
Young pioneers of science, Step UP program looks to inspire Boston schoolchildren
Squishy physics for the young set, Step UP program looks to inspire Boston schoolchildren (Harvard Gazette)
