Outreach Efforts in the Engel Group at The University of Chicago
We love science. We enjoy the research as well as communicating our findings to the public. We often host tours of the lab, and we work closely with local schools to bring science into the classroom.
If you are in the greater Chicago area, we recommend that you visit the JFI open house held each December. It's a fun day of lasers, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and explosions suitable for people of all ages. (highlights from the 2008 show)
Girls 4 Science
Elizabeth Bain organized an event for the Chicago Girls4Science nonprofit in our laboratory involving demos, lab tours, and lunch. With help from our group members and other volunteers over 200 middle-school aged girls visited our laboratories.
Working with Local Schools
Prof. Engel with a "Flat Stanley" doll created by local third grade students learning about photosynthesis.
JFI Open House
Every year, the James Franck Institute opens its laboratories to the public to show our science to our city. The Engel Group runs demonstrations and offers tours of our laboratory space.
Tours of the Laboratory
Our groups works with local science organizations and high schools to offer laboratory tours. We try to show students not only the research equipment, but also the process by which science is done.
Communicating our Science to the Public
Science isn't done until you communicate your results. We try hard to make our work accessible and to teach the public and our scientific community about our work. We are constantly exploring new ways, media, and graphics to convey our findings. The fundamental science that we do opens new doors for novel technologies and inspires new molecular designs.