Public Education Programs
Public engagement is a major part of PCCM's efforts to broaden the awareness of materials science as well as the participation of women and minorities in the field. Through programs for the public, often referrer to as informal education, we are able to reach those who might not otherwise be exposed to the topics of materials science and engineering through formal education programs. These are often free choice learning experiences, meaning people choose to attend these programs rather than attending them as a school field trip. Informal education programs reach children and adults. Some programs are not science-focused and PCCM is part of a small portion of the event dedicated to science. This allows us to reach an audience that is not a self-selected, science-enthusiast group and, therefore, an audience we might not otherwise reach.