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As part of our MRSEC, we operate a strong, multi-faceted education and outreach effort. The MRSEC conducts a range of activities in education, human resources and outreach, including summer programs for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) targeted for NYC K-12 science teachers. Programs bringing MRSEC faculty and students to NYC schools to promote materials and technology by exciting laboratory demonstrations are led by Professor Siu-Wai Chan in the Materials Science and Engineering program in APAM. During each visit, the field of materials science is explained through exciting, hands-on demonstrations incorporating "every day" objects. One goal of these visits is to foster the interests of K-12 students in science and technology by showing them the marvels of materials science and engineering and describing the relevance of science to quality of life. Another objective is to improve the retention of a diverse student body on track for careers in science and technology. An extension of the Columbia MRSEC High School Visitation Program is the Ron McNair Curriculum Integration To Interactively Engage Students (CITIES) Program, started in 2003. The program has expanded from solely working with teachers create engaging lab demonstrations to helping teacher and students with their school's internal science fairs. Our most recent program is the Research and Rolling Exhibits (RARE). In the Fall of 2005, the Columbia MRSEC and the New York Hall of Science received a grant from the National Science Foundation to launch the Research and Rolling Exhibits (RARE). In collaboration with staff from the New York Hall of Science, MRSEC participants will develop five "Discovery Carts" that will be visually attractive, intellectually stimulating and demonstrate current research in materials science and nanotechnology. In all of these education outreach programs, our goals are to introduce and engage students, teachers, and the public to the world of materials science. Several education, human resources and outreach programs are run by the MRSEC. Ms. Justine Herrera is the MRSEC Assistant Director of Education Outreach.
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