Learn about our outreach kit program providing hands-on chemistry activities for K-12 students and teachers to increase engagement in STEM. Outreach Activities, Kits, & Resources MONET's Outreach Kit Program Share informal science discovery through engaging activities! MONET's Outr each Kit Program brings the excitement of scientific research to informal learning environments, camps, homeschooling, and adult education. Experience the wonders of polymers, materials science, and more through hands-on activities and interactive resources. READ MORE Engaging, Accessible, & Impactful Engaging Content Our kits connect science to art or sports to increase its relevance in students' lives, identities, & communities. Accessible Format Kits can be adapted to a wide variety of audiences, mediums, and locales. Our editable templates make for easy customization. Impactful Outcomes Feedback and assessment strategies have been integrated into the development of each kit to support our facilitators in evaluating their impact. Available Outreach Kits Each kit contains editable resources, a guided activity, materials for conducting the activity, and a mechanism for assessment and feedback. Mechanophores: Science & Music MONET's Mechanophores Outreach Kit highlights an intersection between science and art (specifically music) wherein participants explore how plastics can be used to create music. Overview Developed by scientists at MONET and artists of the Multiverse Concert Series, learn about the connection between plastic and music. Mechanophores: Science & Music MONET's Mechanophores Outreach Kit highlights an intersection between science and art (specifically music) wherein participants explore how plastics can be used to create music. 1/5 The Materials Science of Soccer MONET's Materials Science of Soccer Outreach Kit is designed to provide hands-on experience with a Materials Scientist's daily work. Participants will examine and evaluate the properties of different materials in a soccer ball. Overview Developed by scientists at MONET and MIT, this kit guide participants in tearing open a soccer ball and analyzing the comprising layers. Built-in Assessment & Feedback Throughout, our experts in curriculum design have developed formative and summative assessment opportunities along with a mechanism for participants and facilitators to provide feedback. The Materials Science of Soccer MONET's Materials Science of Soccer Outreach Kit is designed to provide hands-on experience with a Materials Scientist's daily work. Participants will examine and evaluate the properties of different materials in a soccer ball. 1/7 Outreach Kit Request Form Ready to impact science education in your community? Fill out the request form for a MONET Outreach Kit at no cost. Share this information with a colleague and help us broaden participation in STEM education. Together, we can make science education more meaningful, accessible, and engaging for all. Request a MONET Outreach Kit Which MONET Outreach Kit are you requesting? Choose an option Please describe the impact this kit would have. First Name Last Name Phone Email Select a Shipping Address Any questions? Send Thank you for completing this form! A MONET-representative will respond to your request shortly.

Undergraduate Research Application This application is for the Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Experiences (REU or URE) Program with the NSF-funded Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks (MONET). URE's open doors to valuable opportunities, including : Laboratory research experiences Hands-on learning and mentorship Potential for mentors to provide letters of recommendation Summer programs and teaching assistantships Internships and career experience Scholarships and fellowships Eligibility: Enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's Degree Program. Domestic and International students are encouraged to apply. Deadline: Applications are due Monday, February 10, 2025 . MONET encourages students of diverse backgrounds, domestic and international status, and students at institutions who may not already have an extensive research infrastructure to apply. The webpage linked here provides a list of frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, contact Dr. Rosa (click here to message) . To learn more about MONET's commitment and efforts to broaden participation, visit our site at MONETCCI.ORG . Contact Information Providing some basic information will help us validate your identity and get in contact with you. First and Last Name* Primary Email* Secondary Email Phone* I consent to receiving text messages to this number (message and data rates may apply). Which best describes your current academic status?* Demographic Information Providing Demographic Information is Voluntary. MONET seeks to increase research participation among underrepresented science and engineering minorities (or URM) . This includes people who identify as female, genderqueer, transgender, two-spirit, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino/a/e/x, Native American or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, persons with a disability, and veterans of the US Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard. Providing demographic information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award. On grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability, no person shall be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination. Do you identify as a URM?* Pell Grant Status - Have you ever received a Pell Grant? Federal Pell grants are awarded based on financial need to undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor's degree and to students in teaching certificate programs.* Yes No If you would like to describe any other discriminated against or marginalized group you identify with, please express this below. Prior Education Tell us about your educational background. List the following information for all prior postsecondary degrees you have obtained in descending order (most recent first): Name of Postsecondary Institution State/Province/Region where Postsecondary Institution was located Degree type (Associate's degree - AA, AS; Bachelor's degree - BS, BA, AB; Master's degree - MS, MA, MBA; Doctorate - PhD, DSc, EdD; Other professional degrees - JD, LLB, MD, DDS, DVM; or other degrees, please specify) Primary field of study (Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences & Engineering, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education & Learning Research, Other - please specify) Postsecondary Degrees* Current Enrollment If you are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree (or postsecondary degree), please provide information about this enrollment. Institution (Name)* Institution (State/Province/Region)* Degree Program at this Institution* Major or Primary Field of Study* For example : Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences & Engineering, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education & Learning Research, Other - please specify Expected Date of Completion* Month Month Day Year Which classes/skillsets have you completed/acquired?* Introductory/General Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physics Chemical Engineering Physical Chemistry Experience with Computer Simulations Other College GPA* If your school uses a non-numeric evaluation system, please enter "Not applicable." What is your college's GPA scale?* 4.0 5.0 Other Please feel free to link a copy of your college transcripts (optional). Experience Include details on any relevant experience you have gained through work, school, or educational programs. Have you ever participated in a research experience?* If you have participated in a research experience, please describe it below, including applicable dates, responsibilities, mentors, and locations. MONET Research Interests A list of our Senior Investigators and their primary research foci is linked here . Select no more than three Professors whose projects you are most interested in. A complete list of our Professors, the universities they represent, and their research projects can be found on our website.* Campos Lab | Columbia University Craig Lab | Duke University Johnson Lab | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kalow Lab | Northwestern University Klausen Lab | John Hopkins University Kulik Lab | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mendenhall | Morehouse College Moore Lab | University of Illinois Nelson Lab | Washington University in St. Louis Olsen Lab | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Olvera de la Cruz Lab | Northwestern University Rubinstein Lab | Duke University Sottos Lab | University of Illinois Steinmetz Lab | University of California San Diego How did you hear about this opportunity? Select all that apply. Professor Family or friend Career fair or conference College or university website Counselor/Advisor This website The NSF website The Northwestern REU Directory Other Personal Statement & Prompts In 200 characters or less, please describe why you want to work with the Senior Investigators you selected. In other words, what are you hoping to learn, and how does it align with your professional goals?* For examples of 200-character responses to this prompt, please click here . Personal Statement (2,000 character limit):* For your statement, please provide insights into any of the following: When and why did you become interested in polymer chemistry research? Why are you interested in engaging in undergraduate research? Provide an example of the process you used to face and overcome a challenge in your experiences as a scientist. How could your strengths and abilities contribute to a research laboratory? How will participating in this experience enrich you and your communities? Explanations of any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record. Submit

Discover MONET’s wide range of undergraduate research projects! Find the perfect project to enhance your academic experience and boost your career prospects. Explore our selection now. Multi-Mentor Research Experiences for Undergraduates MONET's Multi-Mentor Research for Undergraduates program connects students with collaborative research projects across multiple institutions and labs . This distributed model allows undergraduate students to engage in polymer chemistry research regardless of their home institution's resources. The program has achieved remarkable success in broadening participation in polymer chemistry research, with 90% of participants from small research or no-research institutions. Eligibility Enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's Degree Program. Domestic and International students are encouraged to apply. Get Started To participate, identify a Senior Investigator near you whose research interests you and reach out to them via email. Let them know why you're interested in their research and request an interview.

A team from the Olsen and Rubinstein labs, in collaboration with others at University of Campinas and University of South Florida, extend BigSMILES to accommodate nonatomic particles, enabling it to represent coarse-grained models of polymers in a manner directly analogous to atomic structures. The new syntax coarse-grained BigSMILES (CG-BigSMILES) combines a layer-based annotation with linking to force field files to capture both chemical structures and interacting potentials. Article Link

A team from the Olvera de la Cruz and Campos labs develop a mean-field framework that connects microscopic bond reactions and molecular packing-induced conformational changes to macroscopic elastic behavior. The work provides a predictive platform for designing responsive and adaptive polymer networks with tailored properties. Article Link

A team from the Craig , Rubinstein , Sottos , and Gong labs report the impact of fused ring size in bicyclic cyclobutane mechanophores within the strands of polymer network gels. They observe the first evidence of covalent reactive strand extension (RSE) effects in a single-network gel, and strands with greater RSE lead to gels with greater stretchability and toughness. Article Link