K-12 and Community Involvement and Outreach
To request WISE involvement at your event or to suggest an activity for WISE, email us or call 319-335-3530. Please provide advanced notice so we can work with you to make this a successful and fun experience!
WISE Resources Available to K-12 Teachers and the Community
WISE Resource Library (Online database)
DVD, VHS, and CD List (Pdf document)
Samples of Resources Available to Science and Math Educators (Pdf document)
WISE Ambassadors focus on K-12 outreach for Spring 2008
(Visit the WISE Ambassadors webpage for more information about our goals and activities.)
WISE is utilizing the talents of 'soon-to-graduate' student assistant Kelsey Montross to plan several elementary and middle school visits to the UI campus this spring. Included in these visits are girls ranging in age from 3rd-8th grade from Hills Elementary, English Valleys Schools, and Cedar Rapids McKinley. Students will be meeting several of our undergraduate WISE students as they do activities in engineering, bee pollination, and nursing. More information (and pictures) will be posted in the coming months.
In addition to campus visits, WISE is also visiting a few schools in the local area to present at career days and other events to show K-12 students the opportunities and experiences possible for college graduates - and of course WISE places a special emphasis on science and engineering!
Girl Scouts - WISE Badge Day
On February 18, 2007, the WISE Ambassadors and K-12 Outreach Liaison (Lisa Jones-Hall) saw the rewards of their hard work as over 50 local Girl Scouts aged 10-12 met in the IMU to learn about science and engineering.
The scouts were exposed to six different science-based activities from a variety of science fields. WISE Ambassador Emily Thomas presented a chemical reaction activity in which the girls made their own silly putty. Cori Thompson and Sarah Minner conducted an activity that explained the effect of cardio activity on pulse and heart rate; Maureen Naughton and Kendra Meyer taught the Girl Scouts emergency preparedness and how to build a first-aid kit; and Courtney Smith’s, Courtney Fleenor’s, and Wesley Pollpeter’s activity explained the negative effects of loud music on the ear drum. WISE Ambasadors Erin Wymore and Megan Kinen were the Masters of Ceremony. Areeba Fatima performed administrative and general event duties and Courtney Fleenor stepped up to the plate as photographer.
Surrounding the activities were presentations by two guests speakers. Iowa City Firefighter Jim Humston gave a very informative presentation on general fire safety and Professor Linda Boyle gave an interesting and insightful slide show on the many different engineering fields open for study. By all accounts, the Girl Scouts learned a lot and had a lot of fun during the afternoon. Some of their comments included: “Fun!!!”, “I thought you all did a great job”, and “Are you doing this next year?” We sure will!
WISE Students Show the Fun in Engineering at Outside the Box Career Conference
WISE Ambassadors and graduate students Emily Thomas, Chemical Engineering, and Adina Chuang, Environmental Engineering, each gave presentations at a career conference for girls on March 27, 2007. The conference took place at Mid-Prairie Middle School in Kalona, IA, where fifty Mid-Prairie Middle School girls learned about science and scientific careers from professionals in the local area.
The career conference was organized by Mid-Prairie Middle school teachers Amber Bridge and Terra Huber. The WISE Ambassadors, who were the only student presenters, made our department proud by displaying a level of professionalism and enthusiasm that was equal to their very accomplished co-presenters. WISE is very appreciative to Emily Thomas and Adina Chuang for their dedication to encouraging young women to pursue careers in science and engineering fields.
First-year WISE Learning Community Members Visit Hometown Schools to Promote College and STEM Careers
Typically over fall or winter break, residents in the WISE Learning Community visit a school in their hometown to share with the students their experiences being in college and studying in the sciences. Read more about the LC Outreach Program.
