Fellowship Connects Local Teachers to ULRI’s Safety Science Education Resources as well as Penn Engineering’s Esteemed Faculty and Research
A unique collaboration that aims to foster innovation and expand access to STEM education resources for Philadelphia youth is taking shape between the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science and UL Research Institutes.
Led by ULRI’s Institute for Research Experiences & Education and Penn Engineering’s Cora Ingrum Center for Community and Outreach, this partnership, preparing to enter its second year, has created a regional hub of middle and high school educators with unprecedented access to leading-edge research and experts from both UL Research Institutes and Penn Engineering that span safety science, data science, artificial intelligence and STEM education.
“Every day, experts at UL Research Institutes and Penn Engineering are leading research to help address real-world challenges. By inviting educators into discussions on this research, we’re helping build student agency to lead community-driven solutions to local issues,” says Kelly Keena, vice president and executive director of ULRI’s Institute for Research Experiences & Education. “This partnership expands the professional development opportunities for these educators beyond UL Research Institutes — connecting area teachers with talented scientists and researchers at distinguished universities in their own communities.”
“This collaboration opens doors for participating educator fellows to connect with world-class faculty, cutting-edge research and powerful STEM resources,” say Robert Ghrist, associate dean for Undergraduate Education at Penn Engineering, and Andrea Mitchell, university professor in mathematics, and electrical and systems engineering. “Our goal is simple: inspire innovation, strengthen community and expand access to the tools that will shape the future of our youth.”
Throughout the yearlong fellowship, Penn Engineering Regional Educator Fellows — considered visiting staff members of the University — will have the opportunity to connect with faculty and subject matter experts, access research and campus resources, and join faculty and staff-exclusive events such as presentations from esteemed Penn Engineering researchers. By serving as the regional hub for this fellowship, local universities can gain greater insight into K-12 education needs and challenges in their region.
This builds upon the strong foundation of the Xplorlabs Educator Fellowship launched by ULRI in 2023 which offers virtual and in-person learning alongside peers and ULRI’s education experts, as well as safety science researchers and scientists from its research institutes. Using the award-winning online education platform Xplorlabs, fellows explore real-world phenomena, emerging technologies and multidisciplinary challenges that help their students understand how to live safer lives while exposing students to safety science careers.
“Our goal is to ensure that students across the region have the preparation, access, and opportunities required to succeed in higher education. Investing in educator communities of practice is a key strategy for strengthening STEM pathways and improving student outcomes,” says Chanda Jefferson, director of community engagement and outreach at Penn Engineering. “This unique fellowship equips educators with tools and learning experiences that help students create community-driven solutions which uplift local voices and transform STEM education across the region.”
“In two short years, we have seen how strong networks and collaborative partnerships like this can lead to real impact for these educators, their students, and in turn, their communities,” adds Megan O’Keeffe, fellowships program lead for ULRI. “Through this fellowship, we are connecting educators to resources aligned with their classroom goals, providing unique networks of expertise, and creating a community of peer support. By uplifting educators, we also help uplift future generations who will tackle the problems of tomorrow.”
