Converting high-touch experiences into MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication Outreach Kits MONET's Research-Aligned Outreach Kits: Bringing Polymer Science to Life Three Kits, Three Age Groups, One Mission MONET has developed three evidence-based outreach kits that translate cutting-edge mechanophore research into accessible, hands-on learning experiences. Each kit is designed for a specific age group and has been rigorously tested and refined based on comprehensive feedback from trainees, participants, and facilitators. Chemistry of Slime (Ages 5-8) Overview Developed in partnership with the American Chemical Society Kids Zone , this kit introduces young learners to non-Newtonian fluids through engaging polymer chemistry. Impact at ACS Kids Zone San Diego 2025 90 participants engaged across diverse age groups 58.9% correctly identified slime as both solid and liquid 50.9% demonstrated a significant conceptual shift from sensory observations ("you can hold slime") to chemical mechanism reasoning ("break the bonds of the polymer") Key Learning Outcomes Participants progress from experiential descriptions to molecular-level understanding: Before: "I think that slime is a solid because it is not a liquid like water or milk. You can't hold a liquid like you would to a solid, yet you can hold slime..." After: "I think that to make slime flow more easily, you would have to break the bonds of the polymer. When they break, the polymer doesn't have to hold on to other pieces..." External Validation ACS Program Manager Patricia M. Galvan praised MONET's approach: "I am impressed with the way you incorporated the evaluation into the activity to provide evidence of kids' ideas changing as a result of doing the activity... There were 280 participants at the March Kids Zone in NOLA." Kit Components Complete facilitator guide with pedagogical insights Pre-post assessment materials measuring conceptual depth Branded materials, including stickers and storage boxes All necessary chemistry supplies with safety protocols Access to digital resources and case study Request the Slime Kit Materials Science of Soccer (Ages 9-12) Overview This kit explores the materials inside soccer balls through authentic scientific methods, including tensile testing and wettability testing. Research Foundation The kit builds on work that resulted in: ACS conference presentation Peer-reviewed publication in Journal of Chemical Education (2025, 102(4), 1465-1475) Teaching materials for soccer-themed science camp in Brazil Field-Tested Impact 100% enjoyment reported by 13 fourth-grade participants at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy Media Center Successfully piloted at Cambridge Science Festival with 2.0 revisions Demonstrated learning gains in materials science concepts Version 2.0 Improvements The Materials Science of Soccer Festival Edition 2.0 systematically addressed comprehensive stakeholder feedback: Technical Issues Eliminated Removed protractor-based measurements that caused inconsistencies Replaced with simple observation-based wettability testing (water beads up vs. spreads out) Standardized 3-ball preparation protocol for consistency Instructional Clarity Enhanced Specific participant directions: "Take the exterior layer piece and gently stretch it . " Clear questioning sequence with exact wording provided Step-by-step water testing protocol with timing guidance Opening hook: "Welcome to Materials Science of Soccer! You're about to become materials scientists!" Real-World Connections Built In Rain game scenario: "If you're playing soccer in the rain..." Career connections: "Materials scientists study how different materials behave." Transfer questions: "Name another object that uses similar materials." Kit Components Three demonstration soccer balls (intact, cut open, deconstructed) Materials testing supplies (water, pipettes, spill trays) Complete facilitator guide with framework integration Pre-post assessment materials with a 5-level progression rubric Professional development support for facilitators Digital access to complete materials via Canva Request the Soccer Kit Mechanophores in Action (Ages 13+) Overview This innovative kit connects music to molecular structure through the Multiverse app, allowing participants to explore how weak molecular crosslinkers can create stronger polymer networks—a counterintuitive concept drawn directly from university research. Pilot Success at Cambridge Science Festival 2025 250+ participants engaged in musical polymer activity 10-15 minutes per participant group for deep engagement Rigorous assessment using a pre-post evaluation framework Participant feedback: "I never thought science could be creative like this." Research Connection The activity directly references Wang et al. Science publication findings demonstrating how strategic weaknesses in materials enhance overall strength—principles with applications ranging from car bumpers to biomedical implants. Innovative Multi-Modal Approach Digital Phase: QR code access to the Multiverse app Participants "play" chemical structures as music Build crosslinker molecules and explore stability through sound Physical Phase: Hands-on polymer network construction using beads, fishing line, and Velcro Tensile testing with calibrated spring scales (0-5N for velcro, 0-20N for network) Data collection and pattern recognition Real-time hypothesis testing Version 2.0 Enhancements The Musical Mechanophores Festival Edition systematically addressed feedback: Instruction Precision Specific measurement protocols: "Pull spring scale steadily (~1 cm/second) . " Exact material specifications: 50lb/0.6mm fishing line, 30 beads per chain Detailed preparation steps with backup protocols Measurement Accuracy Professional-grade EISCO Spring Scale Newton Meters Calibration protocols ensuring reproducible results Quality control: "Test one complete network setup to confirm design." Research Integration Explicit citation of university research (Wang et al.) Application examples: acrylic paints, adhesives, biomedical hydrogels Professional terminology with scaffolded explanations Kit Components QR codes for Multiverse app access Polymer network testing materials (beads, fishing line, Velcro, rubber bands) Calibrated spring scales for force measurement Complete facilitator guide with pedagogical insights Pre-post assessment index cards Musical crosslinker structure guides Digital resources and complete documentation Request the Mechanophores Kit Evidence-Based Development Process Systematic Feedback Integration All three kits have undergone rigorous evaluation and revision based on: Multiple Data Sources: Annual Trainee Professional Development Surveys Annual Climate Surveys Participant evaluations (90+ index cards from ACS Kids Zone) Google Forms feedback (38+ responses) Facilitator observations across multiple venues Cross-activity comparisons Framework-Driven Design Each kit integrates two evidence-based educational frameworks: CURIOUS Educator Meta-Framework Seven-step approach for brain-aligned content: Connect: Establish relevance Uncover: Reveal problems or gaps Reveal: Introduce concepts Integrate: Connect to existing knowledge Organize: Provide structured steps Unify: Synthesize key takeaways Self-Assessment: Enable reflection SDD Evaluation Framework Quantifies impact using: Scale: Number of participants reached Depth: Level of conceptual understanding achieved Duration: Timeframe and sustained engagement Impact Summary MONET's three research-aligned outreach kits demonstrate how materials science centers can create accessible, evidence-based public engagement that: ✓ Translates cutting-edge research into age-appropriate learning experiences ✓ Demonstrates measurable learning gains through rigorous pre-post assessment ✓ Reaches diverse audiences across ages 5 through adult ✓ Scales globally with distribution to 12+ institutions worldwide ✓ Integrates validated frameworks ensuring pedagogical rigor ✓ Continuously improves through systematic feedback integration ✓ Produces academic outputs including peer-reviewed publications ✓ Partners with major organizations like American Chemical Society Previous Next

Professional development events that leverage MONET resources to provide unique training opportunities. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Training Events Previous Next

Postdoctoral Researcher Postdoctoral Researcher ⬅️ All Members Herbert (Herb) Wakefield IV Postdoctoral Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Johns Hopkins University

Alumni Alumni ⬅️ All Members Curt Waltmann Alumni Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next

Alumni Alumni ⬅️ All Members Emily Wearing Alumni Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next University of California Los Angeles

Postdoctoral Researcher Postdoctoral Researcher ⬅️ All Members Noy Nechmad Postdoctoral Researcher Publications Impacts Previous Next Duke University

Alumni Alumni ⬅️ All Members Shu Wang Alumni Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher ⬅️ All Members Lily Auster Undergraduate Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Duke University

Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher ⬅️ All Members Len Needham Undergraduate Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Baldwin Wallace

Graduate Student Graduate Student ⬅️ All Members Yixin Hu Graduate Student Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Duke University

Graduate Student Graduate Student ⬅️ All Members Anna Gray Davis Graduate Student Publications Impacts Previous Next Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Graduate Student Graduate Student ⬅️ All Members Christina Hemmingsen Graduate Student Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Northwestern University