This program is designed to engage psychology undergraduates at the University of Virginia in community science outreach efforts. There are two central premises to the psychology undergraduate community outreach program:
- Establish connections within the community. First, members of this program will identify groups within the community, ranging from children to older adults, that are interested in science education. Existing opportunities are detailed in the Components section of this proposal, but the introduction of novel outreach ideas by undergraduates is encouraged.
- Generate science outreach materials. Second, psychology undergraduates must select a psychology or neuroscience topic that interests them and develop a presentation for the appropriate audience. This includes the incorporation of hands-on activities, demonstrations, and examples from research labs if applicable.
Objectives:
- To promote a sense of belonging within the psychology department and provide connection points for our department with undergraduate students, other UVA organizations, and the community.
- To cultivate ways of active learning, provide real world interactions, and normalize scientific inquiry as a method of understanding the world. Improve the science communication skills of undergraduate participants, increase enthusiasm for science, and inspire undergraduates to pursue a career in science
- Host engaging activities and science outreach events at schools and other community organizations in order to foster scientific literacy, spread brain awareness, and communicate what it means to be a scientist to individuals outside UVA
Components:
Program will be run by the Outreach Committee who will organize and schedule all events and include both subcommittee and volunteer committee members who will go to schools and lead the presentations and activities for the students. Other components will be the schools/teachers/students who participate in Brain Awareness Week by requesting one of our presentations.
Budget:
Brain Awareness Week budget for supplies should be built into the Outreach Committee budget.
Calendar:
Fall Semester: Recruit volunteers for the Outreach Committee, research and generate content for presentations
Spring Semester: Reach out to schools in Jan/Feb about hosting a Brain Awareness Week presentation, schedule presentations, match committee volunteers with schools, prepare activity kits and finalize presentation materials, have committee volunteers visits classrooms and give presentations