This symposium will cover promising practices within the Materials Research (MR) community that move the needle in broadening participation (BP). Despite efforts to date, participation has not broadened with sufficient speed, reach, or sustainability. Indeed, such efforts often feel disconnected from daily practice in the lab, classroom, and research design. We plan to illustrate that effective and lasting integration of technical knowledge with inclusive impact throughout MR outreach to K-12, undergraduate research, and beyond is possible. Gathering a coalition of international experts on outreach excellence and MR, we aim to equip participants with practices and a collaborative network. Through a series of invited speakers, oral presentations, interspersed small group discussions, and interdisciplinary poster sessions, our goal is to provide an impactful experience to share and develop highly effective and sustainable MR outreach.

Specifically, our objectives are to: 1.) Investigate the intersectionality of MR and BP; 2.) Establish a network of practitioners engaged in BP within MR; 3.) Identify and apply promising practices for BP in MR and STEM; 4.) Provide a space for early career researchers, in particular, to share their experiences and expertise.

Facilitated by a team of Education and DEI Directors from NSF Science and Technology Centers and other interdisciplinary STEM research centers, our goal is to address the disparities in opportunities for women and other minoritized groups in MR. We welcome abstracts from individuals with a MR background and active engagement in the BP space as well as those who seek knowledge and best practices in incorporating BP strategies into the MR field.

The purpose of this symposium is to provide a platform for students, early career researchers, and senior researchers to share tangible examples of successful broadening participation efforts within material research science and STEM. Our symposium will move beyond the siloing of broadening participation and science as separate entities and will be designed to encourage discussions that integrate education, broadening participation, art, and science. We hope to craft a collaborative document that synthesizes promising practices shared during the symposium. We specifically encourage abstracts from students (high school to graduate students) and early career researchers.

biological synthesis (assembly) self-assembly Society