Explore the website!
New activities are currently under development!
www.missionmaterialsscience.com
The Penn State Center for Nanoscale Science, in partnership with The Franklin Institute science museum and Masterminds Agency in Philadelphia, is developing a new interactive website called Mission: Materials Science with informal educational content exploring a fundamental overarching concept of materials science: Materials have unexpected behaviors that lead to new, innovative technologies.
The mission of this interactive website is to disseminate high-quality educational content about materials science, specifically to:
- Promote public awareness and relevance of materials science through a creative and compelling narrative concept that will define materials science and help audiences understand why and how it impacts our lives.
- Increase public awareness of current materials science by highlighting emerging research, novel applications, and diverse scientists in the MRSEC community.
Targeted to children ages 8-13 and their families, the site will serve as an educational resource featuring (1) DIY activities that can be accomplished safely with items found commonly in the home, and (2) videos that portray stories told by real scientists about current research applications that are taking place. Additional site elements will include assets that complement the educational content and visual appeal of the site. This digital format is being developed and evaluated by The Franklin Institute with a site structure that can be easily expanded as best practices are identified for development of new activities through collaboration between scientists and educators.
Initial content includes research connections to the Penn State materials science community and a microfluidics lab at our PREM partner, California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA). Currently, we are engaging with our North Carolina Central University PREM partner and fellow University of Pennsylvania MRSEC to develop content additions that will deepen and broaden the content and impact of the site.
If interested in learning more about forging a partnership, please contact Kristin Dreyer (kad4 @ psu.edu).
