NASA ULI – Education, Outreach and Diversity
UD-CCM Education/Workforce Training and Outreach Activities
During the past year, we have been very active in education/workforce training and outreach to involve students including underrepresented minorities in composites activities at University of Delaware and Southern University. Overall, approximately 550 students (60% were URM from grades K-12) were involved and more than 450 people registered for presentations and seminars co-sponsored by our University Leadership Initiative (ULI). In addition, more than 1,000 people in total registered for the 2022 NASA ImaginAviation Annual Conference and NASA Tech Talk Seminar series that highlighted our University Leadership Initiative (ULI) students and technical activities.
With respect to Diversity, our ULI funded 14 PI/Co-PI’s (14% Underrepresented Minorities (URM)) and 20 students/post-doctoral researchers. An additional 61 students (unfunded) benefited from ULI activities. Within this student group, 16% were URM and 15% female.
- Recruitment of University of Delaware students for NASA Fellowships through our College of Engineering and UD’s university wide Honors program.
- University Leadership Initiative co-sponsored 9 research reviews (32 talks in total) from March 10th through May 19th, 2022. The reviews typically included 3-4 talks and were attended by 30-50 people from the university and industry. Posted on website
- University Leadership Initiative co-sponsored Mr. Chris Pederson, President of Specialty Engineered Materials, Avient Corporation to present a talk on keys to a successful career in the composites industry at our annual Student Achievement Day on May 6th, 2022, to students, staff, faculty, and external participants entitled. The talk was well attended (more than 60 participants) and provided valuable advice on professional development and career advancement.
- University Leadership Initiative co-sponsored our Summer Research Symposium on August 12th, 2022, with over fifty (50) attendees. The symposium included 28 students (short presentations and poster sessions) from UD-CCM including three (3) from Newark Charter High School.
- University Leadership Initiative sponsored two Senior Design projects in UD’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Fall of 2021 to design and fabricate blank holder for forming TuFF composites and design and fabrication of high throughput spill ways for fiber alignment. Each project involved four (4) seniors advised by ULI co-PIs.
- University Leadership Initiative sponsored the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation – UD Summer Camp 2022 Destination Moon – Space Beam Challenge on July 12-14th.Thirty-Eight (38) students entering 7th, 8th and 9th grade attended UD Destination Moon summer camp. The camp integrates real world experiences with Lunar Studies, lessons in Development, Advanced Rocketry, Remote Sensing, Robotics, Computer Sim, Composite Materials & Telescope Building along with Field Trips.
Southern University Education/Workforce Training and Outreach Activities
In year-two of the TuFF University Leadership Initiative project, Southern University engaged in several education/workforce trainings and outreach initiatives by leveraging Southern Universities CREST Center for Multifunctional Composites education and outreach program activities for underrepresented minorities.
- STEM Day with McComb Middle School in Pike County. Thirty-Seven (37) students in grades 6th-8th participated.
- STEM Challenge: Rocket Build: Fifty-Five (55) students in grades 7th-12th from Southern University Laboratory School Summer Enrichment Program.
- STEM Challenge: Rocket Launch: Fifty-Five (55) students in grades 7th-12th from Southern University Laboratory School Summer Enrichment Program.
- STEM Challenge: Save the Eggstronaut: Fifty-Five (55) students in grades 7th-12th from Southern University Laboratory School Summer Enrichment Program.
- Park Forest Middle Creative Science and Arts Magnet, 2022 Family Math and Science Night: One Hundred and Fifty (150) students in grades 4th-8th.
- Melrose Elementary School/SUBR CREST/SWE Section Volunteer Activity: Thirty (30) students in grades 3rd-5th.
- Sothern University students supported with TuFF University Leadership Initiative funds participated in CREST Center sponsored research education for undergraduate (REU) during fall 2021, spring 2022 semester and in person summer REU programs. Activities included:
- REU projects with graduate student and professors as mentors
- Weekly virtual and in person professional development seminars with invited guest presenters
- Tours and training in Southern University and Louisiana State University (LSU) laboratories
- Poster symposium where student presented research undertaken at the end of fall, spring semester and summer REU programs.
- One Southern University graduate student visited University of Delaware CCM to engage in training and conducted experiments using CCM thermal/chemical/rheology and mechanical testing equipment as well as our interphase specimen preparation and fiber pull-out testing facilities on vitrimer polymer. The SU student worked closely with CCM staff, students, and technicians during the 2-month internship.
Diversity Data
- Total Number of PI/Co-I’s: 14 Male: 14 (100%), Female: 0 (0%), URM: 2 (14%)
- Total Number of Universities: 2
- Total Number of Industry Partners: 3
- Total Number of Students: 79 – Male: 67 (85%), Female: 12 (15%), ULI Funded: 18, ULI Unfunded: 61, Graduate: 21, Undergraduate: 58, URM: 13 (16%), Postdocs: 2
- Other Support Staff: 12- Male: 6 (50%), Female: 6 (50%)
