Outreach
We host a variety of outreach activities in our lab, facility, and community. Highlights of some recent events are presented here. For a more in depth look at some of the programming we offer, please click through to the galleries.
Cryogenics
Cryogenic liquids are used to keep our super-conducting magnets cold enough to function. Participants in our on-site activities learn about the ability of extreme cold to change the properties of matter in a hands on demonstration with liquid nitrogen hosted by graduate students and other members of the Showalter Laboratory.
NMR Spectrometers
The instruments that we use for our research are pretty impressive pieces of technology. Participants in our on-site activities have the opportunity to tour our high-field NMR bays, learn a little bit about the properties of super-conducting magnets, and experience the diverse areas of Chemistry that are impacted by the research done in the Penn State NMR Facility hosted by current graduate students and other members of the Showalter Laboratory.
If you would like to schedule a visit to our facility for your group, please email Dr. Showalter
2013 Activities
Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Even a warm spring day couldn't wasn't enough to keep our basement tours from being full! We had a great time - as usual - hosting members of the Central Pennsylvania community in our NMR facility for this event. We look forward to seeing new faces next year too.
2012 Activities
Higher Achievement Program Visit
This year we once again had the pleasure of hosting a visit from the Higher Achievement Scholars. This year was our first opporutnity to use the TerraNova Earth's Field MRI (shown in the image on the left) as part of our demonstrations. For more information regarding this fantastic program, please visit their website.
Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Once again, we have had the pleasure of hosting members of the Central Pennsylvania community in our NMR facility for this great event. We look forward to seeing new faces next year too.
St. Joseph's Academy Visit
Students from St. Joseph's Academy spent a day on campus this spring and we had the pleasure of talking with them about career opportunities for students who complete their education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields. Monique and Deb led the students through a demonstration of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging using our TeraNova Earth's Field MRI prior to a question and answer session.
If your school group is on campus and would like to schedule time with our lab, please either email Dr. Showalter or arrange having us added to your schedule through the ECOS Outreach Office.
2011 Activities
Higher Achievement Program Visit
We have had another successful and highly enjoyable visit from the Higher Achievement Scholars this summer. For more information regarding this fantastic program, please visit their website.
Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Thanks to all of the participants who came to visit our lab! Once again, we have had a great year hosting members of the Central Pennsylvania community in our NMR facility.
If you would like to participate in next year's visit, please be on the lookout for next year's announcement in your campus mail.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
2010 Activities
Higher Achievement Program Visit
We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Higher Achievement Program and thank the NSF for facilitating our support of the Scholars.
Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Thanks to all of the participants who came to visit our lab!
2009 Activities
Higher Achievement Program Visit, August 5, 2009
Students in this program came to Penn State for a three day visit from families in the Washington D.C. area and have parents who have not attended college. Our guests ranged from 4th-8th grade and experienced a tour of our NMR facility, as well as cryogenics demonstrations. During these activities, they learned about the opportunities that are created by choosing to remain in school and pursuing higher educational opportunities after high school graduation. The activities were presented by graduate students Chris Wostenberg and Chad Lawrence and by undergraduate student Alain Bonny.
Check out a photo gallery of highlights.
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
April 23, 2009
We had a great time hosting three groups (a total of 60 students and mentors) as part of Penn State's Take our Daughters and sons to work day.