When fluency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) takes root at a young age, students develop knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and understand how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. In this process, they also begin to discover how fascinating STEM subjects are.
The K-12 educational outreach programs of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) promote such fluency by providing hands-on and student-centered learning experiences for middle and high school students. Schools and teachers can use these programs as part of an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning. Some programs like No Small Matter also include professional development components for teachers.
Junior Science Cafés
Junior Science Cafés inspire middle school students with the latest research from Pritzker Molecular Engineering graduate students. Presented in a compelling, engaging way, the 30-minute sessions feature topics like “Immune Detectives: Innocent Until Proven Pathogenic,” “Tiny DNA, Big Impact!”, and “Magic Gel Worms.” Personal stories from STEM professionals and hands-on activities help students discover what it’s really like to be a scientist or engineer. Learn more about this opportunity here.
After School Matters STEM Lab Internship
STEM Lab Interns who participate in the PME’s After School Matters Program conduct STEM research at the college level as members of research teams. Designed for high school students, these summer internships offer insights into how science and engineering professionals work in an innovative, collaborative environment. Student interns also gain valuable experience for competitive college applications. Recent program participants in are enrolled in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, theoretical physics, and mathematics programs at Columbia University, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, UIUC, Loyola, and the University of Missouri. Applications are available beginning in March.
Applications for Summer 2025 will open in mid-March
Interested in finding out more? Read about the past participants' research experiences in a chemistry and a molecular engineering lab.
School Partnerships
Whether you are looking for a STEM expert to visit your classroom, need a team of volunteers to lead a unique after-school program, or would like a graduate student mentor to support your design challenge competition, the PME offers a variety of ways to partner with schools to support your in school and after-school initiatives. In just the past year we've collaborated with schools on a computer-build after-school program, an engineering design challenge competition on sustainable and equitable design, Family STEM Night events with hands-on activities for students and their families, and middle school science fair mentoring and judging events. Please reach out to us to discuss opportunities to partner.
No Small Matter Molecular Engineering Fair
During the PME’s No Small Matter molecular engineering fair, middle school students and their teachers learn how this emerging STEM field impacts their lives through a variety of hands-on activities and presentations led by graduate student researchers. Teachers who bring students to the fair participate in professional development workshops beforehand to examine how key middle school concepts connect to molecular engineering research and explore lessons to use in their classrooms. Please contact us if you are a teacher or administrator at a school interested in this program.
The No Small Matter fair returned on April 19, 2024 - read all about it here!
Career exploration presentations
PME graduate students engage middle and high school students in explorations of molecular engineering careers and talk about different ways of manipulating molecular systems to solve some of society's most pressing problems. Our graduate students have participated in presentations at Wadsworth STEM Academy's Career Day, the Society of Women Engineers' Career Day for Girls event, and the Museum of Science and Industry's Science Works career exploration fair. Please contact us if you are interested in including PME in your school’s career exploration events.
Collegiate Scholars Program
PME faculty and graduate students lead a molecular engineering summer class in the Collegiate Scholars Program, an initiative designed to encourage high-achieving and underrepresented Chicago Public Schools students to apply to and succeed at highly selective colleges and universities. Read about this summer's program here, and visit the Collegiate Scholars Program page for more information and to apply.
Pathways
In Pathways, PME faculty and graduate students lead a course introducing high school students to key molecular engineering concepts and the way they relate to real-world design problems. Summer Pathways programs provide a broad overview of how scholars at the University of Chicago articulate engineering problems and apply solutions.
Contact us
To learn more about these programs, contact us at pme-outreach@uchicago.edu.