Required Course Based Outreach, The Benefit of Getting All Students to engage With The Community

Societal and systemic barriers can deter students from embracing the role of physicists and finding belonging within the field. To address this, we've integrated outreach into the physics major sequence. Outreach often attracts students with a pre-existing interest in public engagement. By making outreach a required component, we elevate its importance alongside traditional lab and lecture coursework. This inclusive approach acknowledges that, just as some students are inspired by theory or experimentation, others prioritize making a societal impact. These students don't see physics as an career option that has a large first order societal impact. Incorporating outreach into the curriculum demonstrates that we value this societial impact and welcomes students who also share this value. For all students taking this course, it accomplishes several goals: it deepens their understanding by explaing concept to a different audience, solidifies their identity as physicist role models in the community, and fosters a sense of belonging. We'll delve into the logistical and curricular challenges of implementing this course, along with the benefits to the community, students, and the institution.