Outreach

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2023

BREWing Better Broader Impacts

NSF-funded research centers,
such as the Materials Research Science
and Engineering Centers (MRSECs), have the capacity to development of novel products and programs by engaging researchers at all levels in education and outreach efforts. As described in the a MRS Bulletin article coauthored by Crone, the UW MRSEC’s philosophy of “everybody participates” has been enhanced by its annual Breakthrough Research and Education Workshops (BREW) allowing the center to develop highly engaging and impactful broader impacts.

Integration of Education and Research

The Crone Lab and MRSEC Education Group collegues developed a method for Template Synthesis and Magnetic Manipulation of Nickel Nanowires. Building off of more equipment intensive prior art, the coauthors created a inexpensive, easy-to-understand nanowire synthesis appropriate for undergraduate students. The technique was so accessible, researchers began using this technique.

STEM Outreach with the UW MRSEC

Dr. Wendy Crone has been involved with the UW Materials Science Research and Engineering Center (MRSEC) for over 20 years, serving as Co-Lead for the MRSEC Education Group and Executive Committee Member. Her contributions have focused on broadening participation and the creative efforts of the education and outreach program which involves education research as well as education development activities. The MRSEC Education Group develops tested methods for effectively communicating concepts about materials science and engineering to a broad range of audiences in both informal and formal science education settings. This work impacts hundreds of thousands of individuals annually with online and in person educational games, activities, kits, and labs (for example, this totaled 385,000 individuals in 180 countries in 2020). The Center collaborates extensively with faculty and staff at UW-Madison and other institutions, organizations, and professional societies.

Informal Science Education with Museum Partners

Dr. Wendy Crone was a founding partner of the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network, now broadened to the National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net), which encourages partnerships among museums, universities, and other organizations that support lifelong STEM learning. Since its establishment, the NISE Network has now grown to over 600 partner institutions. This involved numerous collaborations with exhibit developers and products ranging from carbon nanotube balloon structures to nanoparticle stained glass activities.

Activities for the K-12 Classroom

Crone’s informal science education guidebook highlighted in “Resources for Nanoscale Science and Technology Learning,” in the news journal of the Association of Science-Technology Centers ASTC Dimensions