News :: Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach

The Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS) Outreach Team is offering high school teachers the opportunity to have scientists visit their classroom with a presentation, demonstrations, and a Q&A session for their students. Teachers interested in this opportunity should see the VUIIS Scientific Outreach webpage and contact Dr. Thomas Yankeelov for additional information.

Working with the Center for Science Outreach, Dr. Billy Hudson, biochemist and director of the Center for Matrix Biology, is helping bring 21st Century technology to students in his childhood hometown, rural Grapevine, Arkansas. In the summer of 2006, students and teachers from Grapevine spent a week at Vanderbilt University. They experienced what it is like to work in research laboratories, met with scientists and researchers to learn about and discuss the opportunities and advancements that are taking place on campus, and even got to explore what "big city" Nashville has to offer. On April 10, 2007, the program continues with a preview of its next step, giving students laptops to use for research and homework while riding an internet-connected school bus to and from school each day — up to 90 minutes each way for some children. Though the site is still under construction at this time, the program will be highlighted by the students and teachers at the Aspirnaut Initiative's website soon.

A Summer Workshop for 7^th and 8^th grade science teachers hosted by the Scientist-in-the-Classroom Partnership Program is planned for June 4-15, 2007 at Margaret Allen Middle School. Participants meet daily from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Teachers and science teaching fellows develop partnering relationships as they plan hands-on, inquiry-based activities for the upcoming academic year.