UTeach Outreach is a program housed in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. The program aims to change the world one scientist at a time by inspiring students to take an active interest in science and to make better scientists of our parents and teachers. UTeach Outreach is a branch of UTeach, a premiere national teacher certification program that prepares university students to become Science, Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Science teachers. Launched more than a decade ago, the program began as a course that sent UT students into the community to assist teachers by engaging students in K-6 with hands-on science lessons. Today, the UTeach Outreach program has many projects in addition to the UTeach Outreach course, including a teacher preparation academy, UT student-led after school clubs, summer camps, tutoring and student support and hands-on activities at a variety of community and University events every semester.
UTeach Outreach began in a small classroom at Becker Elementary in 1993. David Laude, then Associate Dean for the College of Natural Sciences, said he thought of the idea while teaching environmental science lessons at his son’s school. Laude said his lessons received such a positive response that he was convinced an expanded program could enrich grade school curriculum. He said he was particularly interested in reaching into elementary schools with under-represented populations.
"UTeach Outreach is valuable for everyone," he says. "College students figure out whether they are interested in teaching, learn that teaching isn't easy and gain more respect for the profession. Teachers, especially those without strong science backgrounds, get much needed assistance and the opportunity to learn more about experimental science.”
Today, UTeach Outreach is one of the college's largest outreach initiatives, sending more than 200 UT students and volunteers to 38 Austin-area schools each semester, mentoring more than 10 after school clubs and leading many other initiatives in attempts to engage the community in science and education.
“UTeach Outreach is an example of science done right,” Laude said.