Key Concepts in Developmental Psychology and Science Pedagogy Help Undergraduates in High School Science Outreach

Abstract

Science outreach often requires undergraduates to assume new roles as teachers, science communicators, role models, and mentors. Transitioning into these roles is a rewarding part of science outreach but can be daunting and challenging for students at this educational stage. We have created developmental psychology and science pedagogy primers to help ease these transitions for undergraduates. Students used these primers to learn about their audience before science outreach. Students also had the opportunity to converse with one another about the material provided in these primers during the planning stages of the outreach process. We find that becoming familiar with key concepts in developmental psychology and science pedagogy helps undergraduates get the most out of their science outreach experiences.