Outreach

We believe that science is worth sharing.

STEM outreach has been a core part of the IRM since the beginning. Through partnerships with schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations, our staff and researchers teach K-16 students in the Philadelphia area scientific skills and provide them with exciting and accurate information about regenerative biology. Our reach is also global through award-winning programs like Project BioEYES – which has impacted over 130,000 students across three countries so far.

We strive to provide opportunities to build communication and teaching skills for faculty, trainees, and students. IRM staff members can also support your drive to engage with the community and assist with including this work in your research proposals.

Get involved in our successful STEM outreach programs today!

Learn about our STEM outreach

Outreach News

Project BioEYES celebrates 20 years of science in the classroom

Project BioEYES, an award winning education program that engages students as scientists, marks its 20th anniversary this month! Since its founding in 2002 by Drs. Jamie Shuda and Steven Farber, Project BioEYES has reached over 65,000 students, placing many on the path to further education and STEM careers. BioEYES is a K-12 science education program … Continue reading Project BioEYES celebrates 20 years of science in the classroom

Putting a spotlight on microscopy outreach

Scientists use microscopes to see things that are normally hidden. But how can these tools be used to show people the world of science and discovery? Recently, Development featured the voices of 5 science educators who use microscopes to “reveal new worlds,” “improve our communication and understanding of developmental biology,” and “break down barriers and … Continue reading Putting a spotlight on microscopy outreach

New Program Exposes Underrepresented Young Women to Careers in Cancer

For two weeks in July, a computer screen gave 18-year-old Bintou Samassa glimpses of what she wants her future to look like. She watched and listened to Yehoda M. Martei, MD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, talk about health disparities one day, while Armenta … Continue reading New Program Exposes Underrepresented Young Women to Careers in Cancer

Ruth Gottlieb Research Opportunity Fund established to support PARS & PASH programs

The Penn Academy for Reproductive Sciences (PARS) and Penn Academy for Skin Health (PASH) programs are thrilled to announce the creation of the Ruth Gottlieb Research Opportunity Fund. Named in memory of University of Pennsylvania undergraduate and School of Medicine alumna Dr. Ruth Gottlieb, this generous endowment will support stipends for Philadelphia city high school … Continue reading Ruth Gottlieb Research Opportunity Fund established to support PARS & PASH programs

Jamie Shuda presents at ACS ResearcHERS Women in Leadership event

Have you thought about the importance of a mentor in your education and career? Would you like to know more about how to find a mentor, what to expect from a mentor, or how to break up with a bad mentor? Dr. Shuda helps answer these questions and a few others as part of the Women … Continue reading Jamie Shuda presents at ACS ResearcHERS Women in Leadership event

Jamie Shuda Wins 2020 Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education

Dr. Jamie Shuda and collaborator Dr. Steven Farber (Carnegie Institution of Washington) have received the 2020 Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education from the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). The pair was recognized for their partnership in creating Project BioEYES. The Bruce Alberts Award recognizes innovative and sustained contributions to science education. … Continue reading Jamie Shuda Wins 2020 Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education

Catch up on our virtual sessions

For now, we still need to keep apart. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn and think together. Over the past few months, the IRM has been hosting virtual sessions for researchers and students of all ages. Because everyone is on different schedules, we have recorded when possible for future viewing. Below are some … Continue reading Catch up on our virtual sessions

Jamie Shuda featured on the Learning Unboxed Podcast

How can university faculty can give back to students and the local community?

Eagles’ Jason Kelce talks BioEYES, Philly STEM

The one and only Jason Kelce recently highlighted the IRM’s BioEYES program for the Philadelphia Citizen. The Eagles’ center talked about the origins of the outreach program that now reaches 2,600 Philadelphia youths a year. Read more

Give

 

What better way to give than to support the next generation of researchers! $20 allows a city student to become a SCIENTIST through Project BioEYES! 

Giving Link: http://givingpages.upenn.edu/projectbioeyes

Offer a Summer Research Internship

 

PSOM’s Office of Outreach, Education, and Research (OER), in partnership with the IRM, is excited to offer a summer research internship to local high school students. Last year we had our largest cohort yet, with 25 interns representing 11 Philadelphia schools. Four of the students are current or Fall 2023 Penn Quakers!

In order to keep this pipeline going, we are now recruiting summer 2023 laboratories and mentors.

Summer 2023 details include:

* This is a 6-week summer research experience, from June 26 – August 4th, 2023.

* Each student will gain basic laboratory skills through a 16-hour spring program to best prepare them for the summer.

* Students will be hired and paid by the university, with no financial obligation from you.

* Labs will get $500 to support supplies.

* Mentor training and planning meetings will be held before and during the internship.

* Mentors are required to complete state-mandated clearances (unless completed in the last 5 years) which our office will facilitate.

* Direct mentors can be you, a postdoc, graduate student, or lab staff (more than one mentor is also ok).

* All students will be required to show proof of vaccination.

If your lab is interested in hosting a student, please email Tarence Smith, OER Program Manager, at tarence.smith@pennmedicine.upenn.edu by February 17thFinal placements will depend on the number of high school students that are available, but our goal is 25!

If your lab participated in Summer 2022, thank you so much! You may have the opportunity to host your student again. Please let Tarence know if you would be interested in bringing your summer researcher back. This is not guaranteed.

I thank you in advance for your time and energy in paving a path for the young, talented researchers in Penn’s own backyard.