An Overview of Science Education and Outreach Activities at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Authors: J. DeLooper, A. DeMeo, P. Lucas, A. Post-Zwicker, C. Phillips, C. Ritter, J. Morgan, P. Wieser, A. Percival, E. Starkman, G. Czechowicz
Date of PPPL Report: November 2000
Presented at: the 42nd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics combined with the 10th International Congress on Plasma Physics, Quebec City, Canada, October 2000.
The U. S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has an energetic science education program and outreach effort. This overview describes the components of the programs and evaluates the changes that have occurred in this effort during the last several years. Efforts have been expanded to reach more students, as well as the public in general. The primary goal is to inform the public regarding the fusion and plasma research at PPPL and to excite students so that they can appreciate science and technology. A student's interest in science can be raised by tours, summer research experiences, in-classroom presentations, plasma expos, teacher workshops and web-based materials. The ultimate result of this effort is a better-informed public, as well as an increase in the number of women and minorities who choose science as a vocation. Measuring the results is difficult, but current metrics are reviewed. The science education and outreach programs are supported by a dedicated core group of individuals and supplemented by other members of the PPPL staff and consultants who perform various outreach and educational activities.