SCIENCE OUTREACH

October 2024

Volume 20

Connecting and Enhancing Community Engagement

Science Outreach Annual Report 2022- 2024

The first Science Outreach Annual Report documents the impact of this newly created science initiative at our university and for K-12 students in our surrounding community and beyond. Science Outreach was created in 2022 to facilitate mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships between Princeton University Science educators and researchers on the one hand, and local K-12 school districts, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders on the other.

Science Outreach Annual Report 2022- 2024

Introducing the 2024-25

Science Outreach Fellows

Meet our dedicated team of Science Outreach Fellows for 2024-25! These exceptional students are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists. The Fellows were selected for their leadership, passion for science outreach, and community engagement. The Science Outreach Fellows will engage in hands-on science experiments and activities with K-12 students in schools and community programs in our community. They will receive community engagement training, leadership, cultural competency, and science communication skill training. Science Outreach at Princeton University aims to address the gap in awareness, preparedness, and retention of students in STEM careers. The Science Outreach Fellows are “In the Nation’s Service and Service of Humanity.”

Science Outreach Fellows and Majors

Mell Aguiar, Anthropology, 2027

Jeffrey Asiedu-Brako, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2028

Meghana Bhupati, SPIA, 2026

Haya Elamir, Molecular Biology, 2027

Aryan Gupta, Astrophysics, Class of 2027

Davis Hobley, Neuroscience, 2027

Diya Hundiwala, Computer Science BSE, 2027

Adrija Kundu, Molecular Biology, 2027

Zaighum Nagra, Molecular Biology, 2027

Amalia Nevarez, Molecular Biology, 2027

Kira Newbert, Neuroscience, 2026

Ashinedu Obi, Medical Anthropology, 2026

Vatsal Parikh, Computer Science, 2027

Emma Petzold, Psychology, 2026

Ash Reddy, Molecular Biology, 2025

Mana Sam, Molecular Biology, 2027

Daniel Tu, Molecular Biology, 2027

University Administrative Fellows

Science Outreach would like to welcome Kennedy Casey and Maddie Bland as University Administrative Fellows (UAF) in the GradFUTURES program. The UAF program is designed to prepare graduate students for the tenure-track job market or a career in academic administration. The Science Outreach UAFs will gain skills in program development and planning while learning the impact of community engagement with operational and logistical support regarding researching and identifying the needs of local schools and the community.

New In Science Outreach

The Boys and Girls Club Visit PNI

Science Outreach hosted high school students from the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute on Saturday, September 28. The Princeton Neuroscience Network (PNN) shared their experiences as undergraduate students and researchers. Jovian Cheung from the Peña lab shared her research, and Nick DePinto gave a tour of the imaging facility. The students had an impactful visit. The students were on campus in conjunction with a community outreach program sponsored by the Network of African American Men (NAAMA), the Black Employee Network (BEN), the Office of Undergraduate Admission, Athletics, the Office of Community and Regional Affairs, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity.

Science Outreach In the Community

Science Outreach Fellows at Ewing Library

The Science Outreach Fellows, Davis Hobley, Meghana Bhupati, Haya Elamir, and Adrija Kundu, led a fall-related activity for students at the Ewing Library on Saturday, October 26th. The 2nd—5th grade students discovered the The students, their caregivers, and the librarians were all in awe of the experiment!

Science Outreach at Urban Promise

Science Outreach Fellows Diya Hundiwala, Vatsal Parikh, Mell Aguiar, and Emma Petzold let the students at Urban Promise, Camp Grace on a Do the Code activity. The students learned the basics of computational thinking, sequence, and repetition related to computer programming. This activity also helped their listening skills and improved their focus and attention.

Science Outreach Volunteers at the Lawrenceville Library

On Saturday, September 28th, Science Outreach hosted a STEM workshop at the Lawrenceville Public Library for K-5 students. Led by Rishika Porandla and Henry Ding, the event guided students through the engineering design process to build robotic arms using cardboard and string. The activity introduced students to NASA’s robotic systems and explored basic physics concepts like string tension, pulleys, and kinematics.

Science Outreach Connecting with Campus and Community Partners

Community Conversations

The Pace Center hosted a Community Conversation meeting on September 27 at the Princeton Public Library. Partners enjoyed brainstorming how to coordinate their efforts to serve this and the larger community. There was great energy and fun discussing future collaborations. Over 22 partners were in attendance, and over 25 agencies were represented. Thank you, Ben Thorton, for organizing this community partner event.

Astronomy on Tap Trenton

This monthly event, which occurs on the third Wednesday at Trenton Social, features informal science talks, games, quizzes, and prizes. It is free and open to everyone.

This month, Zack Gelles discussed what we can learn from images of black holes. Christian K. Jespersen shared how to build a galaxy.

Science Outreach

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Immediate volunteers are needed for a local robotics team of ten 5th—7th-grade middle school students. They need help with a Geoscience project on glacier melting and global warming. Contact scienceoutreach@princeton.edu if you would like to help these students with their innovation robotics project.

Volunteers Needed!

Science community, it’s time to sign up to volunteer for upcoming Science Outreach opportunities this semester. Please indicate your best availability to get involved. K-12 students in our surrounding community are excited to participate in your hands-on, engaging science experiences to increase their awareness and knowledge of science and STEM.

Volunteer opportunities are available at the Trenton Free Public Library, The Ewing Public Library, Lawrenceville Library, Princeton Public Library, Urban Promise, and The Boys and Girls Club.

Let's Track Your Community Outreach

If you, your lab, or your department facilitated an outreach opportunity, please complete the tracking form and upload a photo from your event. We will feature your opportunity in the next edition of the Science Outreach newsletter.