Hot Springs – Mid-America Science Museum educator Rebecca Mann recently participated in a professional development opportunity hosted at the University of Michigan where she learned about Cellular Metamaterials and engineering. The program generously funded by the National Science Foundation for Engineering Research in Cellular Metamaterials (CELL-MET), sponsored the trip for Rebecca to attend and learn about community outreach opportunities that will be made available to 50 partnering science centers from around the country.
Using Engineering Engagement Kits (EEK!) to educate current and future engineering students Mid-America Science Museum will be providing its first community outreach event in conjunction with Homeschool Day on Tuesday, February 18th. “Since February is national heart health month we are focusing on Cardiology,” said Rebecca Mann, educator at Mid-America Science Museum. “These EEK! Kits will be a perfect opportunity to introduce students to science concepts dealing with both cardiology and engineering,” said Mann.
National Engineering Week, which is from February 16-22nd will also correspond with the introduction of EEK! Kits at the museum.
EEK! consists of seven hands-on activities meant to share CELL-MET research with the public while engaging children and families in dialogue around engineering skills and careers. EEK! Is a collaboration between CELL-MET and Boston University’s Office of Outreach and Diversity.
Thanks to generous funding from the National Science Foundation, EEK! Will be shared with museums across the United States, including Mid-America Science Museum. “We’re one of fifty museums in the United States that have had the opportunity to partner with this outreach,” said Mann. Later this summer museum educators will submit a report to Boston University’s office of Outreach and Diversity showing data gathered from the use of the EEK! Lab activities at the museum.
To learn more about Mid-America Science Museum and to learn more about future projects and exhibits visit midamericamuseum.org.
