A Scientist's Guide to Achieving Broader Impacts through K-12 STEM Collaboration

Area of Science:

• Science Education
• Scientific Outreach
• K-12 Education

Background:

• Funding agencies increasingly mandate broader impacts for scientific grants.
• National science education standards promote inquiry-based learning (IBL) for critical thinking.
• Scientists' research aligns naturally with IBL methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• Provide a practical guide for scientists engaging in K-12 IBL outreach.
• Identify and address obstacles hindering scientists' participation in outreach.
• Highlight strategies to maximize the benefits of science outreach for students and scientists.

Main Methods:

• Developing scalable outreach projects tailored to available time.
• Fostering collaborations between scientists' research and school curricula.
• Utilizing backward planning to align outreach with specific learning objectives.

Main Results:

• Scientists can effectively engage in K-12 IBL outreach.
• Overcoming engagement barriers leads to significant benefits.
• Sharing scientific passion and expertise enriches student learning.

Conclusions:

• Scientists are well-positioned to contribute to science education through IBL outreach.
• Institutional support and strategic planning are crucial for successful outreach.
• Engaging in outreach enhances both societal impact and scientific understanding.