UROP Project

Education, Community Outreach, STEM Education, Stem Education for All, Summer Camps, Journalism, Racial Equity, Social Justice

Research Mentor: Ilya Litvak,
Department, College, Affiliation: Magnet Lab, N/A
Contact Email: litvak@magnet.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Malathy Elumalai
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: melumalai@magnet.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Lauren Miller
Faculty Collaborators Email: lauren.miller@magnet.fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
The following majors are especially encouraged to apply
FSU Teach, FSU-Teach, Secondary Science or Mathematics Teaching,
Biochemistry, Biological Science, Biomathematics, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Chemical Sscience, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering,
Environmental Science, Geology, Meteorology, Physical Science, Physics,
Medical Science, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work
Project Location: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 E Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, Florida - 32310.
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Seminole Express (Innovation), StarMetro (Dogwood, Live Oak). The project may require visiting locations within Leon County which are not adequately served by publiuc transit.
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Sep 6, 2024 4:00 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94034822356

Project Description

National High Magnetic Field is home to the record-breaking magnets, including world strongest magnet, world highest field MRI scanner, and world highest field NMR system. Funded by National Science Foundation. In addition to running the world largest magnet user program in the world and advancing magnet technology, Magnet Lab's develops an educational outreach program as parts of its core mission.

Neigborhood Camp Fair project at the Magnet Lab aims to connect underserved K-12 population in Tallahassee with free STEM education opportunities. Launched in 2018, the project has seen over 450 K-12 students attend our annual community events where public can find free or subsidized summer camp programs. 60-70% of attendees come from local Title I schools.
The intern will join our small but diverse team which organizes Neighborhood Camp Fair events.

Research Tasks: 1. Propose, implement, and evaluate strategies to engage with target community
2. Publicise the project and its benefits to local residents through social media, flyers, direct engagement, and other means
3. Publicise the project and its benefits to STEM program providers
4. Study the impact of the camps fairs on STEM awareness among K-12 students


Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
1. Organizational skills
2. Presentation skills
3. Written and oral communication skills including writing articles, emails, making phone calls, etc.


It may significantly benefit the project if the applicant had exposure to challenges faced by underserved communities through their work- or volunteer-related, or personal experience.