The Harvard MRSEC engages K-12 teachers and students through the science of everyday materials. Led by former HS teacher Strangfeld, the MRSEC hosts workshops for teachers and K-12 students that are modeled on the undergraduate Science and Cooking course developed by Weitz and Brenner, which is now led by Sörensen.
In 2024-25, this partnership grew substantially, training 32 teachers through 3 hybrid in-person/virtual workshops. Intensive follow-up during the academic year helped these teachers reach over 1870 students in 17 states, averaging 15-30 hours of new instructional materials implemented. In a partnership with Navajo Technical University, Strangfeld also led a day-long workshop in Crownpoint, New Mexico, for teachers in rural New Mexico and Arizona.
In February 2025, Strangfeld and Sörensen, with the help of MRSEC researchers, piloted a 4-day program at Harvard for high school students during school break.
Harvard Materials Research Center
The Harvard MRSEC focuses on unraveling complex phenomena in soft materials with the goal of translating these advances to benefit society.