The NSEOC is part of the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State University focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. They collaborate with faculty, researchers, graduate students, and community members to translate their research into STEM experiences for 4th – 12th grade students. The goal is to make science accessible to everyone, particularly underrepresented groups by engaging students in authentic scientific research.
The Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center has been under the leadership of Andrew Warnock as Director and Courtney Butler as Assistant Director since 2010. Dr. Warnock strives to design hands-on scientific experiences for secondary school students and families, while Ms. Butler works extensively with local, regional, state, and international science fairs and advises undergraduate pre-service science teachers at CSU. Also on staff is Karina Hassell, the STEM Education Specialist, and multiple Teachers-in-Residence, who are located either at local area schools or within the NSEOC. They help in creating materials for STEM education and partnering with and mentoring other educators. The NSEOC also partners with many departments and units on campus as well as outside organizations such as the National Park Service and the Platte River Power Authority.
They have been successful in helping CSU secure >$18 million from federal sponsors such as the National Science Foundation, National Parks Service, Department of Education and locally from the Bohemian Foundation Pharos Fund as well as other various donors. These awards and donations have been used to fund programs such as SciTrek Summer Camp, Colorado Science and Engineering fairs, STEM Kit Development and Lending, and the Triunfo Mentoring Program, just to name a few.
One of the most recent and relevant STEM kits is Going Viral, developed along with CSU’s honor student Delaney Worthington. Her journey with the NSEOC started in high school as a participant of our SciTrek Summer Camp. A couple years later, she became a resident assistant for that same camp. Then, in her senior year (pre-COVID) she had the idea of developing a kit for her senior thesis. Going Viral highlights important health literacy concepts, such as microbes, immune response, and vaccination.
Another timely kit in development is Wonder of Wolves for Wolf Haven International, a nonprofit based in Washington. They learned about the NSEOC in 2019 at the National Association for Interpretation Conference. At the end of 2021, they contacted us to develop a kit. This kit will enable exploration of wolf behavior and their role in the ecosystem.
Research Administrators for the College of Natural Science are Lisa Anaya and Lauren Lucio. At OSP, Team 3 supports Natural Sciences with Senior Research Administrator, Becky Libera, and Research Administrator, Emily McIntyre.
We hope you are enjoying learning about different units at CSU and the incredible work being accomplished across campus. Let us know if OSP can spotlight your unit by emailing [email protected].
Blog post by Shannon Irey, Training & Information Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs, Courtney Butler, Assistant Director NSEOC, Andrew Warnock, Director NSEOC, and Karina Hassell, NSEOC STEM Education Specialist