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The persistent under-representation of students from groups historically underrepresented in Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E) programs presents a significant challenge to achieving diversity within the field. A workforce with diverse experiences and perspectives is essential for creating innovations that serve all mem- bers of society. Existing documented eorts to broaden diversity in CS&E are time-intensive (multi-week programs) and do not quan- tify attraction to graduate studies. This paper aims to bridge that gap by presenting and evaluating a detailed design for a one-day workshop that includes presentations from research professors, hands-on cybersecurity demos, a panel discussion with current and recent graduate students in CS&E, and a participation survey. By engaging students historically under- represented in CS&E in the topic of graduate school, we aim to increase the diversity of students who apply to and attend graduate school, and ultimately enter the workforce through industry or through the professoriate, thus making the field more diverse and representative of varied perspectives. We held the aforementioned workshop at a Hispanic-Serving Institution in April 2024. The event successfully attracted members of historically under-represented groups. Our survey results show that 78% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that the event increased their interest in graduate school, 72% were more likely to seek further information about attending graduate school, and 67% of the participants had an increased interest in CS&E research. Our experience shows that one-day events focused on engaging students in the topic of graduate school in CS&E can positively impact attendee’s interest in graduate school and provide valuable information about the application process and graduate school experience.
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This content will become publicly available on February 11, 2026
Exploring Viscoelasticity: An Outreach Workshop for Middle and High School Students
ABSTRACT Engaging students in hands-on activities and providing out-of-school experiences have been shown to improve academic performance and spark interest in science. Our interdisciplinary team developed a workshop for middle and high school students as part of a summer program at a Hispanic-serving institution in southern New Mexico. The goal was to foster interest and readiness for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers and college entry. The workshop introduced students to viscoelasticity, a key concept in biophysics that describes the mechanical behavior of biological tissues, which is vital for understanding their structural and functional properties under various physical forces and conditions. The curriculum included a presentation, a discussion linking mechanical properties with biology, and hands-on experiments that demonstrated viscoelastic principles. Pre- and postworkshop surveys assessed students’ experiences and understanding of the material. Analysis revealed that students could relate the concepts to their daily lives, gained a basic understanding of mechanical properties, and found at least one experiment enjoyable and interesting.
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- PAR ID:
- 10639146
- Publisher / Repository:
- Cell Press
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Biophysicist
- Volume:
- 6
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2578-6970
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 66 to 76
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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