In Summer 2017, Nebraska MRSEC partnered with the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to offer a new, STEAM-based summer learning program. Spark Summer Learning provides opportunities for students in grades K-5 to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in an immersive setting, engaging students in problem-based learning through hands-on “maker” projects. For the week-long experience, Nebraska MRSEC Assistant Director of Education and Outreach Jocelyn Bosley adapted and extended lesson plans developed by preservice teachers in the science education classes of MRSEC PI and Assistant Prof. of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Krista Adams. Inspired by Nebraska MRSEC research, these lessons introduced students to properties of magnets, nanomedicine, and applications of magnetism to nanomedicine. The workshop was led by MRSEC undergraduate researchers Peter Kosch and Spencer Prockish.
