GAUSSI Outreach Initiative

GAUSSI trainees spend 20 hours per semester presenting their research and fostering interdisciplinary education to K-12 students, undergraduate programs, incoming PhD students, and to potential PhD students during recruitment.

The interdisciplinary nature of the GAUSSI program focuses on the need for STEM content in tackling important scientific and engineering challenges. The GAUSSI program will involve K-12 teachers in the research activities relevant to the GAUSSI program and help them create STEM lesson plans linked with biological data analysis, thereby further broadening and updating the contents of STEM education.

During the 2016-2017 academic year, GAUSSI trainees explored a variety of outreach activities. A focal point of the program was to develop modules for 5th grade students in a partnership with the “Education is Elementary” Outreach Program. The goal, to contribute to a new generation of scientists and engineers who are able to tackle complex problems related to large datasets in a variety of disciplines.

Modules consist of workbooks for both students and teachers to allow for integration into the current lesson plans of the classroom. GAUSSI trainees visited local schools to share their modules with 5th grade students in the classroom. More information can be here.

There is also the option for GAUSSI trainees to develop alternative outreach programs, based on their areas of interest. Contact Kate Sherrill if you would like more information.