Office of Science Education & Outreach

Table of Contents

…a path to information and opportunity!

The Office of Science Education & Outreach (OSEO) coordinates local, state, and national engagement efforts designed to raise the awareness of students, teachers, parents, and scientists regarding the mission, research, and goals of the Institute. Further, OSEO works to ensure the provision of opportunity and access to information that allows a greater understanding of environmental health science, career possibilities, and related educational preparation and training.

Focus Areas

K-12 Science Education Programs and Activities
Ensuring the quality and accuracy of NIEHS science education materials and lesson plans; and providing workshops and seminars, as well as other learning opportunities for science teachers and their students.
- Provides North Carolina science teachers an opportunity to participate in a 1- to 2-week hands-on science and research professional development program at NIEHS.
- Disseminates the most current and relevant environmental/biomedical research findings to educators, which supports the NIEHS Strategic Plan in communicating environmental health information and promoting EHS literacy to stakeholders.
- Supports the NIEHS Strategic Plan in maintaining communication and engaging with the public in order to inspire the next generation of the EHS workforce.
Community Engagement
Serving as a liaison to high schools, colleges, universities, and professional/community organizations to increase an understanding of the NIEHS mission, research, and goals.
- Campus Tours and Information Sessions
  Provides information to students and teachers of all levels, science-based student groups/programs from surrounding colleges and universities, as well as the general public regarding environmental health topics and related training and career options.
- Community Forums
  Establishes an open dialogue between NIEHS, members of the public, environmental health professionals, disease and environmental advocacy groups, and other federal, state, and local government health officials.
- NIEHS Partners
  Builds a coalition of grassroots advocacy organizations that support and are interested in environmental health research.
- NIEHS Communities Speaker Series (CSS)
  Offers an opportunity for invited speakers to present their work (i.e., research, programs, activities, etc.) and their story (i.e., goals/aspirations, educational choices, career path, influences, etc.) with focus on the identified employee portfolio during the associated month of recognition.
Broadening Participation in Environmental Health Sciences
Providing opportunities to students, educators, administrators, and health science professionals interested in careers in STEM via the introduction and exposure to environmental health sciences.
- Provides mentoring to any student who wants to learn more about EHS research, training, and career possibilities.
- Designed to provide EHS-related information and opportunities (i.e. research training and mentoring; partnerships and collaborations) to undergraduate students and faculty at nearby Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- NIEHS Scholars Connect Program (NSCP)
  Provides a unique opportunity for highly motivated science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) focused undergraduate students to solidly connect with NIEHS and receive frontier-level training in biomedical research during an academic-year internship.
- NIEHS Speakers Bureau
  Coordinates opportunities for NIEHS scientists, technicians, and administrators to speak about a variety of topics in environmental health sciences, as well as educational preparation and career paths. Speakers are also available as judges and/or to participate in science fairs and festivals.