K-12 Outreach, the Future of K-12 Outreach, the Future of Physics and the ARUNA Physics and the ARUNA

CommunityCommunityPaul Cottle (FSU)Paul Cottle (FSU)

WHY is K-12 outreach important for the physics community?

WHAT can ARUNA labs do to impact this situation?

The number of The number of physics bachelors’ physics bachelors’ degrees has finally degrees has finally recovered to the recovered to the number earned number earned around 1970, but around 1970, but number of STEM number of STEM degrees (and degrees (and number of students number of students in the nation) has in the nation) has exploded. exploded. APS Education

Bachelors’ % African-Americans Bachelors’ % Hispanic-Americans

But enormous racial imbalances But enormous racial imbalances remain in physicsremain in physics

APS EducationAPS Education

% of bachelors’ degrees to women

The gender The gender imbalance at the imbalance at the bachelor’s level bachelor’s level remains dauntingremains dauntingAPS EducationAPS Education

And these problems cannot be And these problems cannot be solved at the college level – solved at the college level –

We must address them at the K-12 We must address them at the K-12 level!level!

AIPAIP

There is nothing like a scientist in the There is nothing like a scientist in the laboratory for inspiring a young person – laboratory for inspiring a young person –

get students into ARUNA facilities!get students into ARUNA facilities!

Future Physicists of Florida:Future Physicists of Florida:Recognizing accomplished middle school students with a Recognizing accomplished middle school students with a

ceremony and tours of research facilitiesceremony and tours of research facilities

ARUNA laboratories and scientists can make a ARUNA laboratories and scientists can make a significant difference in the career paths of our significant difference in the career paths of our communities’ talented young people through communities’ talented young people through outreach – regardless of their backgrounds!outreach – regardless of their backgrounds!