Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs By Sigrid Clift Bureau of Economic Geology Jackson School of Geosciences The University of Texas at Austin

Presentation Outline –What is outreach? –Who are the audiences? –What is a successful K-12 program? –Why is a K-12 program important? –What are the types of K-12 programs? –What are the challenges of K-12 programs? Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs

Definition –Outreach is teaching and research outside of an organization that directly benefit the public. Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs

Audience –Technical Industry Government agencies –Nontechnical K-16 General public Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs

A successful program will –Identify the needs of teachers and students –Be based on those needs –Work with educators to design programs

Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs Why are K-12 programs important? –To help teachers Increase student literacy Develop critical thinking skills Prepare students to make informed decisions

Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs Types of Programs –Curriculum –Professional development for teachers –Classroom activities –Experiences outside of the classroom for students

Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs Many programs are available but not used –Programs that aren’t aligned with curriculum standards –Teacher issues Weak background in subject matter Lack of training to teach program –Not all schools have tools needed to use program

Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs To Ensure a Successful Program –Develop programs aligned with TEKS Located on Texas Education Agency Web site at –Offer training to teachers Include follow-up training or technical support –Offer programs in more than one format Web, CD, video, paper, etc. –Form partnerships To enhance K-12 programs To improve funding chances

Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs Challenges –Develop resources to sustain a successful program –Achieve desired results –Form partnerships –Promote interest within organization

Conclusions –Successful K-12 outreach Should directly benefit teachers and students Successful programs –Will meet the needs of the teachers and students –Will teach students »How to use critical thinking skills »How to make informed decisions –Will provide teachers with much-needed training Must be sustainable –Resources –Partnerships Needs support from within organization Building Successful K-12 Outreach Programs