Outreach
We believe that science is inclusive, not exclusive. By involving a diversity of students of all ages and backgrounds in our inclusive research environment we are striving to inspire curiosity, innovation, productivity, and collaboration. Accordingly, our commitment to student mentoring and teaching reaches far beyond that of the traditional classroom and lab environments. Each year, our group participates in a number of outreach programs, including on campus, in the greater PHX area, and beyond. Through these activities, we seek to demonstrate: i) how engineering fundamentals can serve as the basic tools for research and real world problem solving, ii) that curiosity and creativity are important fuels for technological innovation, and iii) the notion that we are all truly lifelong learners. Moreover, by exposing them to important real world problems and topical issues, we seek to empower students of all ages with the notion that their education and skills can be used as a force for change in the global community.
NSF IRES Project: Exploring Bio-based Plastics and Materials through Collaborative Research in Japan
With global concerns over the environmental impacts of plastic waste continuing to grow, new solutions for providing sustainable materials are desperately needed, along with globally-minded scientists and engineers to deliver them. To this end, we are currently leading an NSF IRES (International Research Experiences for Students) project focussed on developing such solutions while exploring new frontiers of biobased plastics and materials and training the next generation of innovative problem solvers. For 10 weeks each Summer, we will bring groups of ASU graduate and undergraduate student participants to perform hands-on research projects in the Department of Biobased Materials at Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT) in Kyoto, Japan. Click here to learn more about this project and how you can get involved!
Outreach events that our lab has been proud to support
ASU’s Open Door – 2020
ASU’s Open Door – 2019
ASU’s Open Door – 2018
ASU’s Night of the Open Door – 2017
ASU’s Night of the Open Door – 2016
Science Detectives Day (w/ AIChE)
