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ERIC Number: EJ1314072
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1534-6102
EISSN: N/A
Science with Seniors: A Model Program for Senior Citizen-Centered STEM Outreach
Padgaonkar, Suyog; Schafer, Emily A.
Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, v25 n2 p111-122 2021
Many science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outreach programs focus on children, but relatively few efforts are dedicated to voting-age populations. These groups are important to reach because misinformation about science is widespread and difficult to detect, often interfering with informed voting on science-related issues. Science with Seniors (SwS) addresses this critical gap by bringing science research topics and news to the most dedicated voting demographic, senior citizens. Through SwS, graduate students and postdoctoral associates have delivered informal presentations on current and relevant science topics. Participating seniors have indicated that SwS has increased their understanding of the presented topics and that they would attend similar programs in the future. The article outlines a general program development methodology to support implementing this graduate student-led model elsewhere. Future directions include program expansion, additional online access, and evaluation of long-term effects on participants' voting habits and appreciation of science.
Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, University of Georgia and the Institute of Higher Education. Treanor House, 1234 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-6167; Fax: 706-542-6124; e-mail: jheoe@uga.edu; Web site: http://openjournals.libs.uga.edu/index.php/jheoe
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DMR1720139