K-12 Outreach
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Slide 1: Kids decrypting Caesar cyphers written in invisible ink (Spy Science Day). Photo credit: STEM Starters.
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Slide 2: Kids doing a DIY hand crank generator (Electronics Day). Photo credit: STEM Starters.
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Slide 3: IICD member Julianne Schröter presenting to SHAPE high school students
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Slide 4: IICD researchers running an interactive activity at Zuckerman Institute Saturday Science events in collaboration with BioBus
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Slide 5: IICD researcher running an interactive activity at Zuckerman Institute Saturday Science events in collaboration with BioBus. Photo credit: Sirin Samman.
Over the past few years, IICD has deepened its commitment to public engagement and science education, expanding outreach efforts to make science accessible at every age. As part of this mission, the Institute periodically hosts high school students for internships and collaborates with several K-12 outreach organizations. Learn more about these initiatives below.
BioBus is a mobile science initiative, with a fleet of moving laboratories that can visit schools and neighborhoods across New York. BioBus also provides an ensemble of educational offerings beyond mobile lab events.
Recently, IICD scientists developed two interactive activities for BioBus focused on DNA, mutations, and genetics. Researchers tested these activities with children and families through Zuckerman Institute Saturday Science events in collaboration with BioBus, helping make genetics research accessible and engaging for young learners.
Columbia SEAS offers a pre-college program for rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates, Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE). SHAPE is geared toward students with a curiosity for STEM. The program takes place in July and August. Each 3-week session offers college-level, project-based courses in engineering taught by a diverse group of faculty at Columbia University.
Several IICD researchers presented to over 200 high school students as part of the SHAPE initiative.
STEM Starters is a Columbia graduate student-led science outreach organization. Through free monthly events, STEM Starters offers hands-on science workshops for local elementary and middle-school students and their families in Harlem. Each month features a different theme, explored through interactive activities designed to spark curiosity and engagement.
The initiative was co-founded in 2019 by PhD students Aubs Decker and Prachi Patel, who wanted to invite middle school students from the local community to campus to meet with scientists and see that science is approachable and accessible to everyone.
In Fall 2025, the Institute launched a collaboration with STEM Starters. Learn more about this partnership here.
The Institute periodically hosts high school students for internships. Some interns have gone on to earn recognition at prestigious STEM competitions.