K-12 Partnerships
While promoting and developing curricula in support of STEM education through its outreach programs and services, ND Energy also participates in partnerships with area schools. These collaborations enable both institutions to work toward achieving the national goals of increasing advanced training and careers in STEM fields, expanding the STEM-capable workforce, and increasing scientific literacy among the general public.
STEM Teacher Advisory Board
ND Energy welcomes input from K-12 STEM educational professionals in the local community through participation on its STEM Teacher Advisory Board. This voluntary group, formed each summer, offers advice on the development of energy kits and programming. They also serve as a communication bridge between the schools and ND Energy.
If you teach in the Notre Dame area and would like to learn more about the board, please contact Anne Berges Pillai, apillai@nd.edu.
Partnerships
Madison STEAM Academy: ND Energy began its partnership with Madison STEAM Academy during the 2015-2016 school year by first visiting the students and then inviting them for a day on campus. Madison is focused on continual improvement after becoming a magnet school and earning STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) certification from the state of Indiana. By forming strong partnerships with community institutions such as Notre Dame and ND Energy, Madison will be using hands-on STEM activities to pique the students’ interests and natural curiosities. Read More
St. Adalbert Catholic School: ND Energy was pleased to welcome the eighth grade class from St. Adalbert Catholic School to campus to experience a chemistry lab and learn a bit about life as a scientist. This is part of an on-going relationship between Assistant Professor Emily Tsui and the junior high students of the South Bend elementary school. Researchers in the Tsui lab demonstrated various techniques and equipment and answered a wide range of questions about what it is like to be a chemist. Read More
Marshall Traditional School: Members of ND Energy’s Student Energy Board have provided hands-on activities at Marshall Traditional School’s Family Science Night. This annual Friday night event, organized by Marshall’s PTO, takes place in the school gym. Read More
Mishawaka High School Internship Program: Students from Mishawaka High School conduct research in ND Energy affiliated labs on campus for high school credit. This successful partnership has been flourishing since 2013. Read More
TRiO Programs: ND Energy has signed a letter of intent with the U.S. Department of Education's TRiO Programs hosted by the University of Notre Dame to support their efforts to ensure equal educational opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstance. TRiO's college preparatory programs - Talent Search and Upward Bound - assist low-income families and first-generation college students as they progress from middle school to high school and beyond. Read More
Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair (NIRSEF): Members of ND Energy's Student Energy Board and students in the Energy Studies Minor serve as judges for the annual Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair (NIRSEF) held on Notre Dame's campus. The judges evaluate the energy-related projects of middle and high school student competitors to award the top project in each age division. Read More
For more information or to get involved, contact Anne Berges Pillai, Education and Outreach Associate Program Director, at 574-631-9106 or apillai@nd.edu.