CORE Science Institute
The CORE Science Institute (CSI) at SLAC was founded in 2016 to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment programs among youth in the Bay Area. The main goal of this program is to grow SLAC’s community outreach endeavors, focus on increasing exposure to STEM fields, and give the students involved a better understanding of what a career as a professional scientist/engineer entails.
History
Since 2016, the SLAC's CORE Science Institute has hosted elementary and middle school students for a weeklong summer science program at SLAC every year. Through tours, hands-on projects, and career talks, students engage with laboratory staff, learn about the different careers needed to support SLAC’s scientific mission and cultivate a sense of belonging in science. Students learn how to think like scientists and engineers through experiments such as building magnet accelerators. For example, last year, by using magnets and ball bearings, they learned how charged particles interact with fields and built their own foam pipe marble roller coaster to test out principles of potential and kinetic energy. The week culminates on Friday with a student poster presentation, open to all SLAC staff, during which each group of students developed their science communication skills as they presented their poster to the audience.
Funding
CSI has historically been supported by a combination of funding from SLAC projects, fundraising events, and corporate donors in partnership with the groups that attend the summer program. Fundraising efforts are ongoing as the program expands to accommodate more students and keep activities up to date.
Contact Information
Contact Margaux Lopez (margaux@slac.stanford.edu) or Shirin Ketabforoush (shirin@slac.stanford.edu ) with any questions about volunteering or participating in the program.
