About Us
"Science is for all Americans" and "Science should be something that students do, not something that is done to them." These two slogans epitomize the revolution now taking place in American K-12 science education.
The Center for Science Outreach was established in 2002 in order to promote and develop a strong relationship between the scientific and educational communities.
Current goals center around three main themes: creating in-classroom partnerships between scientists and teachers; developing virtual partnerships through the use of videoconferencing technology; and hosting in-residence teacher partners at VUMC. Our outreach programs include bringing 7th through 12th grade students to the Vanderbilt campus for summer science camps and annual career days, helping parents get involved in their kids' schoolwork with science nights, and connecting scientists to K-12 classrooms through videoconferencing. In addition, we sponsor a variety of summer workshops focusing on inquiry-based instruction, science content, leadership, and technology.
Programs currently under development include the establishment of new degree programs for in-service teachers in order to enhance their science content background, and expansion and enhancement of our in-classroom and virtual partnerships.
Staff
Virginia L. Shepherd, Ph.D. 
Director, Center for Science Outreach
Professor of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Glenn McCombs, Ph.D.
Director, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Associate Director, Center for Science Outreach
Joe Lopez, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Jeannie Tuschl, M.Ed.
Program Coordinator
Jeff Hazelton, B.S.
Technology Coordinator
Jennifer Ufnar, Ph.D.
Grant Initiatives
Scott Merrick
Teacher-in-Residence, Center for Science Outreach
Lower School Technology Coordinator, University School of Nashville
Harvey Sperling
Educational Consultant
