Engineering Activities Help to Connect K-12 Students with Complex Science

Hands-on engineering activities are being developed and tested that showcase how the Sanford Underground Research Facility operates. While much of the scientific research of the underground lab in Lead, South Dakota is quite esoteric and difficult to convey by way of hands-on activities, there is plenty of engineering related to the facility’s operation that is highly accessible and engaging for high school, middle school, and even elementary school students.

Integration of engineering practices into K-12 science education is a notable feature within the recently released Next Generation Science Standards. K-12 teachers are eager for real-world applications and resources to share with their students. Development of engineering activities that showcase how a laboratory operates is potentially a powerful way for researchers and research facilities that study complex science to contribute in a meaningful way within the K-12 educational arena.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation/EPSCoR Grant No. 0903804 and by the State of South Dakota. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.