[Experteers] "Iluminando el Futuro": STEM Outreach Initiative

STEM Experteers Intake Form

Many scientists credit a teacher or mentor in helping inspire them to pursue a career in STEM. As shared by the EPA, often a hands-on demonstration with a connection to real-world challenges expose possibilities for students, plus illuminate career paths not previously considered. "Iluminando el Futuro", an IEEE Photonics Latin America STEM Outreach Initiative, hopes to do just that.

In its pilot stage, the program seeks to encourage K-12 pupils to pursue higher education in photonics STEM areas, while also inspiring members and photonics professionals to serve as mentors in their native languages.

Local STEM Outreach Ambassadors will be trained with tools to create their own outreach light-based activities in IEEE Region 9, i.e. South America and Central America, including Mexico and Puerto Rico.

How We Need Your Help

We are currently in need of experienced K-12 STEM educators, "STEM Experteers", who can record short videos in Spanish and conduct mentorship trainings. Volunteers bilingual in Spanish and English are needed.

The Experteers will answer questions on their experiences as science communicators, mentors and photonics STEM professionals and/or conduct mentor hour sessions. These videos and sessions will be used to train and inspire local STEM Outreach Ambassadors as they form their virtual and in-person activities with the general public, teachers and community partners throughout Latin America.

While completing the form below, please mark which questions you are interested in supporting as a trainer. Ultimately, inform us of the questions that interest you and/or you have background in. The questions will then be divvied and assigned. Each "STEM Experteer" is projected to answer 3-5 questions.

Question Title

* 1. Volunteer Information

Name

Affiliation/University

City/Town

State/Province

Country

Email Address

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* 2. Are you an IEEE Photonics Member? (Membership not required)

Yes

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* 3. Indicate Grade:

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* 4. What is your K-12 STEM educator experience? And, what scientific discipline or technical areas of expertise do you have?

Below please mark all questions you are willing to answer by video recording. Ultimately, inform us of the questions that interest you and/or you have background in. The questions will then be divvied and assigned. Each "STEM Experteer" is projected to answer 3-5 questions by recording, in Spanish and English.

Question Title

* 5. Conceptualization Questions

Why is science communication and outreach important?

Why is it important to cultivate scientific curiosity and literacy early in education?

What challenges or difficulties have you experienced when explaining scientific concepts during an outreach activity or to the general public?

Do you have any suggestions, tactics and/or would you like to share your strategy for successful science communication or interactive learning?

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* 6. Design of Outreach Activity Questions

In general terms, how do you plan your outreach activities? What variables do you take into account? (Example: target audience, venue, materials required, etc.)

Do you define the objectives of your activity beforehand? What methodologies have you used within your outreach planning?

What are the main challenges that you have faced when designing your outreach curriculum and/or hands-on activities?

What suggestions or advice would you give to future volunteers, regarding how to design an outreach program?

How have your outreach efforts helped advance STEM education among marginalized and/or underserved student populations?

How have you encouraged the integration of STEM curriculum into the classroom or to K-12 educators, community centers, public organizations, industry partners, etc.?

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* 7. Implementation Questions

During your outreach activities, did you adapt your speech or activity to meet the needs of your audience or social setting?

What kind of strategies have you used to encourage student, i.e. K-12 and pre-university, participation in outreach activities?

Have you done science communication or outreach activities for students with special needs or disabilities? Could you please share your level of experience and how you adapted your plans?

When attendees participate in your activities, including parents and teachers, what strategies have you used to increase and/or encourage sustained participation?

What challenges have you faced that required you to adjust your outreach approach(es)?

Are there any specific strategies you have used for your science communication or outreach activities that worked well? And, you are willing to implement again? Please explain the activity/approach.

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* 8. Evaluation Questions

How have you measured the effectiveness and impact of your STEM Outreach program(s)?

How have you evaluated the scientific concepts of your outreach and how they were understood?

What strategies did you use to evaluate the students' perception of the delivered activities?

How might the definition of impact change given different contexts, audiences, etc.?

How have you sustained STEM momentum in your region or local community?

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* 9. Volunteerism & Personal Questions

How has your volunteer service and community outreach impacted your career?

How would you explain your career and the role photonics and STEM has played in your life?

What advice would you give to a student pursuing STEM or a light-based science career?

Are you willing to share more about your academic/career journey?

If you have any questions regarding this program, contact Lauren Mecum, Community Outreach & Development Manager, at l.mecum@ieee.org for more information.