Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Outreach Highlights 2012

Left: Elementary school children sitting on the floor in a circle with a MRSEC researcher wearing a Dr. Zeuss hat, reading "Horton Hears a Who." Middle: Five girls sitting in the circle with a variety of materials for making a model of a cell. Right: two boys looking through a microscope with a teacher talking to them.
Using Microscopy to Look at the World Beneath our Eyes

As part of our K-12 outreach efforts, we have begun a multi-level microscopy-themed outreach program for K-12 students in the greater Boston area. We explored animals and plants smaller than the eye can see in a Littleton, Massachusetts elementary class. We read “Horton Hears a Who” by Dr. Seuss and then let the children explore microscopic organisms and make their own model of a cell complete with organelles to bring home.

Left: MRSEC researcher sitting at a table with many materials, holding some of them in her hands. Middle: Girl watching a MRSEC researcher doing an experiemnt. Right: MRSEC researcher talking to a young girl who is doing an experiemnt while her mother and another visitor look on.
Discovering Nanolife Partnership with the Discovery Museum

March 30, 2013

MRSEC scientists from Brandeis visited the Discovery Museum in Acton for a full day of microscope-themed activities on March 30th. We led hands-on activities that allowed students to see and build their own mutant Drosophila, assemble their own polymer chain and explore freezing techniques like dry ice and liquid nitrogen. We had over 150 museum guests participate in our activities.

Upper Left: Aerial view of a poster session. Upper Right: 2 people discussing a poster. Lower Left: a group examining a poster. Lower Right: A student talking to 2 other people about his poster.
The MRSEC REU Program at Brandeis

The summer REU program was conducted successfully, culminating in the students presenting their research at the Division of Science Undergraduate Research day to all the Science faculty and students.