The MRC serves as a hub for educational partnerships both on and off the Northwestern University campus, and is a national leader in interdisciplinary training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in materials-related research through affiliated centers and programs.
Materials World Modules (MWM)
First established in 1993, the Materials World Modules (MWM) are hands-on, inquiry and design-based units for middle and high school students that have been used by over 100,000 students in schools across 49 states. Based on materials science and nanotechnology principles, this interdisciplinary approach engages students, adds relevance to traditional curriculum, and has been shown to improve science knowledge for all students. National Science (AAAS, NSES) and Math (NCTM) standards – as well as selected state Science and Math standards – have been mapped to the activities and design project(s) of most MWM and all National Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT) modules. Nationwide field tests demonstrate an average student achievement gain of 2-3 standard deviations after participating in a single two week MWM module. Examples of interdisciplinary modules include Composites, Ceramics, Concrete, Biosensors, Biodegradable Materials, Smart Sensors, Polymers, Food Packaging, Sports Materials, Solar Cells, Nanotechnology, and Drug Delivery.
The MWM Program was introduced to the State of Chihuahua, Mexico in May of 2005 through a series of teacher workshops highlighting a number of modules translated into the Spanish language. Since then, NU-MRSEC has collaborated with the MWM program to help MWM-Mexico to expand its impact around the whole of Mexico. Available Spanish modules include Sports, Concrete, Composites, Biosensors, Biodegradables, Introduction to Nanotechnology. During the past two years, MWM has also been working with schools in Qatar and China.
For more details, please visit the MWM site.
Materials Science Exhibit
In partnership with the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and Chicago Department of Aviation, the Materials Science Exhibit, developed with the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), was installed at O’Hare International Airport from May 2016 through October 2017. Centrally located in Terminal 1 (Gate B12) and in the Terminal 3 area between Concourses K and L, the airport exhibit featured materials research related to carbon, silicon, and magnetic materials, and introduced the latest materials-relevant tools and techniques. Designed for the general public, the exhibit highlighted how materials science and engineering enables understanding, innovation, and design that shape society. Continuing its run in collaboration with the Chicago Public Library, the Materials Science Exhibit is currently hosted at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago. The updated exhibit, located in the Grand Promenade near the library Maker Space, opened to the general public on February 1, 2019 and will continue at least through Summer 2020. The exhibit includes the Ubiquity Gallery, highlighting how the development of ceramics, plastics, and metals has impacted daily life, and the Frontier Gallery, presenting innovations in emerging electronic and magnetic materials. In addition, the Microscopy Gallery features images of nanoscale structures obtained by researchers in the NU-MRSEC shared facilities. The centerpiece of the exhibit is an Atom Probe Field-Ion Microscope enclosed in its ultrahigh vacuum chamber.
Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP)
Formed in 2018, the Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) is an initiative of Northwestern University to provide a high-quality liberal arts and STEM education to incarcerated students in Illinois in partnership with Oakton Community College and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). NPEP takes advantage of the transformative power of education in responding to the crisis of mass incarceration. In particular, NPEP fills a vital need by being the only degree-granting program in the state of Illinois that provides a full liberal arts curriculum (i.e., humanities, arts, social sciences, and STEM courses) to incarcerated students. NPEP is also the only postsecondary prison education program in Illinois that accepts applications from facilities throughout the state, including from medium-security and maximum-security prisons (accepted students are transferred to the Stateville Correctional Center for NPEP). This model enables NPEP to have statewide impact and to reach students at various stages of incarceration. The NU-MRSEC provided support for three NPEP/Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) mini-courses in addition to supplies supporting a STEM lab section at the Stateville Correctional Center. Learn More.
MORE – Mentorship Opportunities for Research Engagement
The Northwestern University Mentorship Opportunities for Research Engagement exists to provide graduate students and post-docs opportunities to mentor high school students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This organization grew out of a partnership with Niles West High School where students participate in high level STEM research under the mentorship of NU graduate students. We aim to expand our connections with local high schools to engage students in real science.
RSSI – Research Safety Student Initiative
The mission of RSSI is to develop and promote a stronger culture of safety across research laboratories at Northwestern University through an increased awareness of safety hazards and a more positive mindset towards safe laboratory practices. In conjunction with ORS, we aim to encourage university-wide commitment to safety by providing education, resources and training. More info>
SITC – Science In The Classroom
Science in the Classroom (SITC) is flagship service program for the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Phi Lambda Upsilon (PLU), a chemistry honor society. SITC works with Hayt Elementary school to supplement their third and fourth grade science curriculum with lessons focusing on single topics such as “Pressure and Gases”, “Electricity” and “Simple Machines”. Our main goal is to help the students see themselves as future scientists, while volunteers guide small groups of 4-5 students through a series of hands on experiments over an hour period. More info>
SPOT – Science Policy Outreach Task Force
Science Policy Outreach Task Force (SPOT) is a non-partisan organization of Northwestern University researchers focused on advocating for science, evidence-based reasoning, and scientifically-sound policy to the voting-aged public and policymakers. Members have the opportunity to learn and put effective science advocacy into political action through events to educate voters, meetings to educate and collaborate with policymakers, educational seminars to learn about the interface of science and policy, and activities with external science policy entities. More info>