Conferences on K-12 Outreach from University Science Departments

Recent reports such as Rising Above the Gathering Storm have energized the science community to help increase student enrollment in science and technology studies. Since 2000, The Science House at NC State has hosted six Conferences on K-12 Outreach from University Science Departments. In each about 70 participants from NC and other states have gathered to discuss themes ranging from Equity in Science Education to Bringing the Science of the Laboratory into the K-12 Classroom. The Proceedings of the Conferences are available at www.science-house.org/conf The Proceedings report ways in which scientists can support K-12 education and models of how different universities have responded to the needs of schools, teachers and students. We will summarize outcomes of the Conferences and discuss how successful K-12 science outreach projects are created and sustained.