Educational Outreach at the University of Houston Houston, Texas

1. Educational Outreach at the University of HoustonHouston, Texas Physics Department University of Houston

2. Introduction • Principal Collaborators • Mission, Goals, and Strategy • Demographics–Greater Houston, TX (Region IV) • Areas of Research Interest Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

3. Current Program Overview • Early Inclusion of Students in Research • Introduction to Particle Physics • Research Opportunities for Teachers • Web Pages for Teachers and Students Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

4. The Vision - Web Interactivity - Student Research Lead Associate - Research Experiences - Middle Schools & Teachers Teachers - Cosmic Ray Analysis Science Fairs Students!Students! - Saturday Physics - Elementary - GRID Schools & Simulations First Year Second Year Years 3-5 Years 5 & Beyond • Researcher • Teacher Collaborative • Student Community Physics Comes to Life for Students and Community Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

5. Results • Teacher Activities and Resources • University Faculty, Teacher, and Saturday Physics Participation • Heightened Interest in Physics • 1 Includes one private school. Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

6. A Student Responds 05 Mar 2005 …I have come to Saturday Physics all year, and these discussions have really interested me in learning more about Physics and possibly considering it as a future career. Saturday Physics has really shown me how important Physics is to the world and how imperative it is that we continue to make headway with new scientific discoveries. I especially enjoyed last Saturday's discussion over the expansion of the universe. It is hard to believe that discoveries like dark matter are still puzzling to even the Smartest scientists. This summer I was hoping to find a job, and I would love it if I could work with a Physicist… A Student in Houston Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

7. i2u2 • Collaborate with Dr. William J. Llope, Rice University in the Development of Processed Star Data for Excel Analysis • Introduce New Data Analysis Program in Summer Workshops • Extend to Live Data When Feasible • Include Houston Museum of Natural Sciences for Further Community Outreach • Include New Senior Citizens Centers • 1 Includes one private school. Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston

8. Conclusion • Strong Opportunity for Empowerment of Teachers in Secondary Education • Increased Educational Outreach from University to Secondary Education Significantly Increases Impact of and Interest in Science Education • Rapid Acceptance of Quarknet by Both Teachers and Students Demonstrates Need and Benefit for Increased Educational Outreach in the Houston Community Dr. John Wilson, University of Houston Educational Outreach at the University of Houston