K-12 & STEM Education

There are great challenges that mark our walk through the 21st Century. The NAE calls these the Grand Challenges of Engineering and they represent a diverse and global set of challenges for current and future generation engineers and scientists to address. Through STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) education across all levels, solving these problems becomes a real possibility. This interest and passion drives much of Dr. Weiss' efforts into outreach and educational efforts beyond the University setting.

In 2017, the State of Louisiana funded a 1.5 year program through LaSIP (Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program) to reach 3-5th grade students in afterschool educational settings. Dr. Weiss leads a team of investigators that are using Grand Challenges and Grand Challenge inspired activities to generate long lasting STEM engagement in these young students. Three Kits of activities are being generated in close collaboration with partner parish schools. The Kits track Challenges related to Sustainability, Security, and Human Health. One activity from the Sustainability Challenge Kit is shown below. Students build useful solar ovens in this activity that also includes a nod to history and direct ties to Grand Challenges. By setting the context and communicating fundamentals like the power of the sun and life on earth, students increase their life-long STEM learning interests.

Learning the effectiveness of these activities is important from an educational research perspective. The team is engaging the students and their parents / guardians to learn more about how these activities and the Grand Challenges provide a lasting STEM interest that will shape a new generation of engineers and scientists.

Dr. Weiss continues to play active roles in new ways to engage STEM learning across various student groups.