Exploring models for research and student training that extend beyond R1 institutions. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation Participation Beyond MONET Participation Beyond MONET represents a transformative vision: extending our Center's reach and influence beyond traditional boundaries to create meaningful pathways for participation in the chemical sciences. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, we're building bridges between institutions, fostering mentorship networks, and creating spaces where scientists from all backgrounds can bring their authentic selves to their work. At the heart of this initiative are the stories of connection and community. When Directors of Broader Impacts from multiple NSF-funded Centers gathered at NDiSTEM conferences in Phoenix and Columbus, they weren't just sharing booth space—they were modeling a new approach to scientific collaboration. These cross-center partnerships, bringing together MONET with the Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry and the Center for the Mechanical Control of Chemistry, demonstrated how institutions can amplify their collective impact by working together to engage diverse STEM talent. The symposium "Transforming STEM Through Broader Impacts" at NDiSTEM 2025 took this vision even further. With over 75 attendees, the session became a catalyst for change, exploring how cultural relevance and authentic mentorship can reshape the landscape of scientific education. The conversation continued beyond the conference room through the Science with Impact Podcast, extending these critical discussions to a wider audience and creating lasting resources for the community. Our partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities exemplify the power of bidirectional collaboration. Dr. Juana Mendenhall's leadership at both the SERMACS symposium and HBCU Engage highlighted how genuine partnerships—built on mutual respect and shared goals—can transform research environments and create opportunities for innovation. Dr. Mendenhall was even featured on the Science with Impact Podcast : These aren't one-way relationships; they're dynamic exchanges where each institution brings unique strengths to advance chemistry education and research. The Polymer Women Empowerment & Research (PoWER) initiative brought together over 100 participants for technical workshops and mentorship sessions at Northwestern University. MONET senior investigators Julia Kalow and Monica Olvera de la Cruz led technical talks while MONET trainees served as workshop leaders, creating a supportive community for early-career researchers. This intergenerational mentorship model demonstrates how empowering women and gender minorities in polymer science creates ripple effects throughout the field. When Dr. Vanessa Rosa spoke at the ACS Women in the Chemical Enterprise Networking Breakfast in San Diego, she joined hundreds of women chemists in building professional connections that transcend individual institutions. These moments of connection—whether at a breakfast networking event or a university symposium—form the foundation for sustained participation in chemical sciences. What makes BP Beyond MONET distinctive is its emphasis on authenticity and cultural relevance. We've learned that effective outreach isn't about imposing structures from above; it's about creating spaces where people can integrate their identities, cultures, and passions into their scientific work. It's about student-led collaborations, community-based STEM education, and research that responds to real community needs. It's about recognizing that the path to scientific excellence runs through many doorways, and our job is to ensure those doorways are open and welcoming. Through these initiatives, BP Beyond MONET is building a network of STEM leaders committed to excellence through expanded participation. We're creating best practices for cultural integration in STEM, establishing platforms for leadership development, and fostering collaborative approaches that benefit the entire scientific community. Most importantly, we're demonstrating that when we invest in people—through mentorship, authentic partnerships, and culturally relevant programming—we strengthen the foundation of scientific innovation itself. Previous Next

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. Three Outreach Kits Available! Each kit contains editable resources, a guided activity, materials for conducting the activity, and a mechanism for assessment and feedback. Outreach Kit Request Form Ready to impact science education in your community? Fill out the request form for a digital copy of MONET Outreach Kits (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. Which MONET Outreach Kit are you requesting? Choose an option Please describe the impact this kit would have. First Name Last Name Phone Email Any questions? Send Thank you for completing this form! Learn About Our Impact! Outreach Impacts

Signature Professional Development Experiences (or SPDEs, pronounced "speedies") are student-driven, center-supported deep-dives aligned with one of the four broader impacts areas. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Signature Professional Development Experiences Previous Next

Development of polymer chemistry data tools such as BigSMILES, PolyDAT, and the CRIPT spinoff. Broader Impacts Innovation Data Tools Previous Next

Discover the motivation behind establishing MONET as an NSF Center for Chemical Innovation. Why a center? Quite simply, it takes collaboration across multiple areas of chemical expertise to redefine what polymers can be. In MONET, we work together to improve the benefits provided by polymeric materials while simultaneously reducing their negative impact on the environment. Working as a team not only allows us to create the chemistry of the future but also allows us to develop the chemical workforce of the future in ways we simply couldn't as individual labs. MULTI-LAB COLLABORATIONS As an NSF-funded Center for Chemical Innovation, MONET seeks to rewrite the performance and end-of-life rules of polymer network-based materials. We focus on innovative solutions to big societal problems that require the collaboration of leading investigators nationwide. Our efforts span three research thrusts: 1. Chemistry of the Network Strand , 2. Chemistry of the Network Junction , and 3. The Science of Polymer Chemistry Data . READ OUR LATEST RESEARCH

CRIPT is a partnership between MIT, Citrine Informatics, Dow Chemical, NIST, and the University of Chicago in which a community database for polymer science is developed through an NSF Phase I Convergence Accelerator project. Broader Impacts Innovation CRIPT Previous Next

Research translation and transition efforts resulting in patent filings and new sponsored research endeavors. Broader Impacts Innovation Research Translations Previous Next

Transforming Polymer Science Through Industry Collaborations Broader Impacts Innovation Industry Partnerships Previous Next

Expanding access to laboratory research projects through the MONET Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) program. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation Undergraduate Research Experiences Previous Next

Trainees collaborate with and visit another MONET-affiliated lab for cross-disciplinary research exposure. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Lab Exchanges International Lab Exchanges: Building Global Networks and Advancing Research MONET's International Lab Exchanges Initiative represents a cornerstone of our Signature Professional Development Experiences, providing trainees with transformative opportunities to expand their research capabilities, forge international collaborations, and gain perspectives that fundamentally reshape their scientific careers. Through partnerships across Switzerland, Germany, and Australia, our trainees have participated in immersive experiences that bridge academic research and real-world applications in materials science and sustainability. The impact of these exchanges extends far beyond technical skill development. When Ana Paula Kitos Vasconcelos participated in the Research University Alliance (RUA) Program, she spent a week visiting leading Swiss institutions, including ETH Zurich, EPFL, EMPA, and the Adolphe Merkle Institute. Her goal was clear: identify research groups aligned with her future career aspirations and discover pathways to postdoctoral opportunities. The connections she made opened doors to fellowship opportunities and potential postdoctoral projects, demonstrating how international exchanges catalyze long-term career trajectories. As Ana Paula reflected, the experience allowed her to "identify avenues of potential research opportunities" while receiving "direction and support for applying to fellowships." Similarly, Alex Foret's 10-week research experience in Dresden, Germany, exemplifies how international exchanges provide access to specialized expertise and techniques. Working under Professor Christian Roßner at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Alex gained hands-on experience in synthesis and characterization techniques previously outside their research scope. The program, which brought together seven participants and culminated in a joint symposium between German and US labs, expanded Alex's professional network across continents while developing proficiency in methods that will prove invaluable throughout their materials science career. Juan Antonio Cintrón Cruz's two-week collaboration at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg demonstrates how MONET leverages connections with senior investigators to facilitate cutting-edge research opportunities. Through relationships between MONET PIs Steve Craig and Jeremiah Johnson and NMR expert Professor Kay Saalwächter, Juan gained access to advanced NMR characterization techniques to study polymer network structures. This collaboration not only enhanced Juan's analytical capabilities but also aims to implement these techniques at MIT, thereby expanding the characterization tools available across the entire center. The ongoing partnership is expected to yield a joint publication that showcases how these exchanges generate lasting scientific contributions. Perhaps most distinctive is the PELICANS program (Plastic in the Environment, Leaders in Collaboration from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States), which took Ana Paula and Herbert Wakefield IV to Australia for an intensive two-week exploration of the plastic industry's sustainability challenges. Through partnerships with the NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers, CSIRO, UNSW, Monash University, and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization, they examined packaging, recycling, policy, education, and pollution from an industry perspective. The trainees created educational materials on plastic food packaging and recycling challenges and contributed to a podcast series on plastic waste. This experience bridged the gap between academic research and industry needs, helping them "examine their research in the context of potential innovations that could be developed and applied to make a genuine difference in the plastic industry." Collectively, these International Lab Exchanges embody MONET's commitment to developing scientists who can navigate the global research landscape, communicate across disciplinary and cultural boundaries, and translate their work into societal impact. By providing access to specialized facilities, fostering international collaborations, and exposing trainees to diverse research cultures and industry perspectives, these exchanges prepare them not only to advance materials science but also to lead the next generation of sustainable innovation. Previous Next

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Broader Impacts MONET bolsters career readiness through: