Mellon College of Science has a long-standing commitment to bringing the excitement of science to K-12 students and to supporting teachers in our region in their pursuit of educational excellence. The programs, listed alphabetically below, vary from science shows to intensive summer programs to individual research opportunities.

For more information about outreach programs at Carnegie Mellon, visit the Leonard Gelfand Center for Service Learning and Outreach web site.

Milliones Physics Concept Program

The Carnegie Mellon University-Milliones Physics Concepts Program is an outreach program in which children at the Milliones Technology Academy meet with Carnegie Mellon mentors to learn fundamental concepts in science. Milliones is an inner-city public middle school, located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The two main goals are to teach the Milliones students some of the fundamental physics concepts that underlie much of science and technology, and to provide the children with hands-on experience on how scientific research is carried out. Much of the effort is centered on the Milliones students preparing a project to present at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) science fair early in February.

Contact:
Leonard Kisslinger
(412) 268-2768
kissling@andrew.cmu.edu

Minority Science Outreach Program

The Minority Science Outreach Program (MSOP) is an interactive interdisciplinary project that facilitates participation of underrepresented ethnic minorities in the sciences. Students receive support and resources to successfully compete in a variety of science fairs. Students have participated in regional, statewide and national competitions. The objectives of the program, to encourage scientific interest in students who are not ordinarily exposed to a scientific environment, to promote scientific literacy, to strengthen research skills through inquiry-based learning and demonstration, to explore potential career opportunities, and to enhance logical and critical thinking skills.

Contact:
Stacey Pharrams
(412) 268-3459
pharrams@andrew.cmu.edu
MSOP web site

Mailing address:
4400 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15213

Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS)

The PGSS is an un-graded summer enrichment program that is in session for five weeks, seven days per week. All students are required to live on the CMU campus in college dormitories. It is an intense program in which the students take lecture courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science. In addition, they are expected to participate in their choice of one laboratory course in biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science, and to engage in team research projects in one of the above five major discipline areas. The students also have the opportunity to take elective courses which may vary from year to year, to participate in several field trips, and to be further enriched by a distinguished guest lecture series and special seminars on leadership and college selection. Academically talented high school students who are current juniors at the time of the application deadline may apply to the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate academic achievement, interest in the sciences and mathematics, and a record of pursuing this interest in activities beyond the classroom.

Contact:
Barry Luokkala
(412) 268-2756
pgss@cmu.edu
Pennsylvania Govenor's School for Sciences web site

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences

This program offers high school students enrichment experience in science and math careers. The following workshops are currently being taught:

• Turning Genes On and Off
• Making Glow in the Dark Bacteria

Science Van Outreach

The Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Science Van Program for middle schools (grades 5-9) was established in March 1998 by Visiting Professor Garry F. P. Warnock. The program has gained an outstanding reputation for bringing hands-on science workshops and science assemblies to students and teachers in grades 5-9 in western Pennsylvania. The success of the CMU Science Van Program is due to the expertise, diligence, persistence, and love of teaching possessed by Dr. Warnock and the educators (Van Guys) who have worked with him over the years.

The Van Program offers workshops for science teachers in grades 5-9. These workshops, held on Saturday mornings during the academic year, offer middle school science teachers the opportunity to learn about and do the various demonstrations and experiments the Van Guys do. The Saturday workshops give teachers a chance to exchange ideas with their colleagues on how to implement what they learn in the classroom. The teachers leave with a kit of equipment and printed information to help them carry out demos in their school. Workshop topics have included: electricity and magnetism, biology, polymers, geology, and light and color.

Contact:
Garry Warnock
(412) 268-4229
warnock@andrew.cmu.edu
Science Van web site

Summer Undergraduate Applied Mathematics Institute

Supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency, the Center for Nonlinear Analysis provides training for students interested in mathematical science research through the Summer Undergraduate Applied Mathematics Institute. The students spend seven weeks in Pittsburgh participating in a course in real analysis and a computer laboratory, and working on projects under the direction of research faculty.

Contact:
Deborah Brandon
(412) 268-2552
brandon@andrew.cmu.edu
Summer Undergraduate Applied Mathematics Institute web site

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

With funding from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Biological Sciences offers their Summer Undergraduate Research Program, an intensive research experience, to students from small colleges and universities that do not have extensive research opportunities. In addition, Carnegie Mellon students can participate in the program through a grant from the Undergraduate Science Education Program of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) .

Contact:
Robert Murphy
murphy@cmu.edu
Summer Undergraduate Research Program web site

University Programs

C-MITES
(Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary Students)

C-MITES offers programs for academically talented students in kindergarten through 9th grade, including weekend workshops, special testing, and a summer program. These programs are offered throughout Pennsylvania.

Contact:
Ann Shoplik
(412) 268-1629
cmites@cmu.edu
C-MITES web site

C-MITES Teacher Professional Development

Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary Students has established a teacher professional development program for elementary and middle schoolteachers. In the last year, C-MITES has offered full-day workshops on Acceleration, Assessment of Mathematically Talented Students, and Curriculum for Mathematically Talented Students, Writing GIEPs: The Teacher’s Perspective, Ability Grouping: Helpful or Harmful?, and Developing Programs for Mathematically Talented Students. These workshops have been provided on the Carnegie Mellon campus in Pittsburgh and are also being held in Abington, PA. Call for the current professional development schedule.

Contact:
Ann Shoplik
(412) 268-1629
cmites@cmu.edu
C-MITES Teacher Training web site

DASH
(Developmental Approaches in Science, Health & Technology)

The DASH professional development programs work to improve teaching about science, health and technology in kindergarten through sixth grade, and uses a teacher trainer model with practicing teachers certified to instruct others. Intensive institutes focus on content and skill knowledge from the disciplines along with classroom management strategies that make inquiry based learning more effective. Programs include summer institutes, school year follow-up services and support through newsletters, email, phone and school visits. Local teachers work as instructors in the program. Work has been ongoing since 1988, and more than 1,400 teachers have attended DASH Institutes coordinated by Carnegie Mellon. DASH curriculum materials were developed by the University of Hawaii.

Contacts:
Judith Hallinen
(412) 268-1498
jh4p@andrew.cmu.edu

East End Youth Projects

The East End Youth Projects, funded by the Center for University Outreach and Student Activities, brings Carnegie Mellon students together with children in six Pittsburgh schools. EEYP was established in 1993 and has been a student-run organization since 1997. Each semester, an average of 50 tutors volunteer two hours per week to be a tutor and mentor for one to four children, ranging from grades K-12. Our hope is that, with this kind of personalized assistance, children will be empowered to rise to their fullest potential.

Contact:
East End Youth Project
(412) 268-8894
eastend@andrew.cmu.edu
East End Youth Projects web site

FAST
(Foundational Approaches in Science Teaching)

FAST, named an Exemplary Science Program by the Expert Panel of the United Stated Department of Education, is a standards-based middle school curriculum available to schools through participation in a professional development program. Carnegie Mellon has been involved with the FAST program since 1990 and has coordinated teacher institutes for more than 100 local middle school teachers. The program employs a teacher instructor model with practicing teachers certified to instruct others. Curriculum materials were developed by the University of Hawaii.

Contacts:
Judith Hallinen
(412) 268-1498
jh4p@andrew.cmu.edu

Research Experiences for Teachers: Engineering Research Center

This joint program of Carnegie Mellon and Johns Hopkins University provides group instruction and laboratory research experiences for science, technology and mathematics teachers through a partnership between the university and local school districts. The work encourages researchers to build partnerships with teachers that can bridge to their students. Carnegie Mellon provides support to the teachers during the academic year to translate the “lessons learned” during the five-week summer program into classroom enhancements that will energize their students and help them learn about careers in scientific research.

Contact:
Judith Hallinen
(412) 268-1498
jh4p@andrew.cmu.edu

Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science (SAMS)

Sponsored by Carnegie Mellon Academic Resource Center (CMARC), this is a rigorous six-week residential summer experience designed to attract students with diverse backgrounds who are considering careers in engineering, science and other math-based disciplines. Students entering their junior or senior year are eligible to participate in the program, which will build both academic and personal skills. Different tracks will be designed for each grade level.

Traditional classroom instruction, along with creative "hands-on" projects will allow students to apply concepts and principles. The program will also include course work to improve student performance on standardized tests used in college admissions. Spending a summer—possibly two—will prepare students to enroll and succeed in highly selective colleges and universities nationwide, including Carnegie Mellon.

Contact:
Ty Walton
(412) 268-2150
SAMS web site