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The Powerhouse of the Cell workshop is an example of how the Museum of Natural History collaborates with U-M faculty to meet National Science Foundation grant requirements. The NSF requires scientists to show how their research will make a broader impact in the community. One of the ways scientists accomplish this is to “increase public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology.” The museum works with U-M faculty to develop a wide range of outreach activities.
“We help faculty showcase their research to public audiences through exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, interactive school workshops, and outreach to underserved communities. Sometimes we even facilitate the production of visualizations to be shown in our planetarium,” said Alicia Comer, science outreach grants manager. “It’s a great collaboration. Faculty meet their NSF Broader Impacts requirements, and the museum brings cutting-edge research to our visitors and the greater community.”
Vecchiarelli’s grant will also provide scholarship funds to schools from underserved areas.
A reviewer from Vecchiarelli’s NSF proposal commented, “This is the most serious undertaking of Broader Impacts I’ve seen as a reviewer, ever.”
Visit ummnh.org to schedule the Powerhouse of the Cell workshop for your group.
Photo (from left): Professor Anthony Vecchiarelli and UMMNH Lab Manager Kevin Farmer |
