College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

The goal of this program is to establish the elements of a small weather balloon satellite program at each school that can be sustained by the school districts at minimal cost. Specifically, the program provides students an opportunity for practical experience in remote sensing and data acquisition. It also introduces student methods of scientific inquiry using real experimental tools through an introduction to the structure of our atmosphere.

Teachers selected from schools across Arizona form student teams to design, construct, and launch small balloon payloads that can robotically measure the physical properties of the Earth's atmosphere as a function of time during the ascent and descent of a high altitude weather balloon, such as pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. In addition, teams imbed a photographic camera in the payload that can be timed to image the Earth's surface and its atmosphere during the ascent and descent of the balloon.

Engineering and Science Day (ES-Day) is one the college's efforts aimed at getting from middle school and high school students interested in science and technology; the big idea here is to "catch them young.”

In October we host a half-day event specially designed for middle school students to explore engineering though a round-robin on fun hands-on activities and competitions. In February, we host a longer day of design competitions and demonstrations from faculty and students for high school students.

NAU's Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) offers the following outreach activities through EEOP:

Saturday Academy provides tribal students with an on-campus pre-college experience with emphasis in mathematics, science and technology. Saturday Academy goals include teaching students how to apply mathematics, science, and technology to local environmental issues, helping students learn about college preparation, the admissions process and allows them to develop the skills needed for future success.

Students are encouraged to consider college options following completion of high school. Students also build mentoring relationships with the college students who serve as assistant instructors during the various activities.

Summer Scholars provides Native American students a one-week, on-campus pre-college residential experience. Middle and high school participants explore environmental issues, improve their technological skills, and build mentoring relationships with college student assistant instructors.

Summer Scholars is a collaborative effort between Northern Arizona University (EEOP-ITEP) and the sponsoring school districts. School districts interested in developing a Summer Scholars Program for their students are invited to contact EEOP.

Campus Visits program provides students a week day pre-college experience with an emphasis in environmental careers and postsecondary educational opportunities. The Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP) works with various departments on campus to set up learning activities and career orientations. Each campus visit is tailored to the individual school's goals.

The scientific community still lacks sufficient female representation entering the scientific research fields at the college level, not for lack of capability or interest, rather more for the lack of science opportunities presented to them in their formative high school years.

The purpose of Girls in Science Summer (GSS) Day Camp is to provide high school girls (ages 13-18) that have a curiosity or interest in science with an opportunity to learn basic science research techniques develop hypotheses, analyze data and present results.

The camp uses the popularity of "CSI" as a hook to get teenage girls interested in science by spending a great deal of time with hands on activities in a mock crime scene.

Upon completion, these young girls get a glimpse into the world of crime scene investigation and an understanding of the type of strong science background that is required to do these types of jobs.

Summer Scholars provides Native American students a one-week, on-campus pre-college residential experience. Middle and high school participants explore environmental issues, improve their technological skills, and build mentoring relationships with college student assistant instructors.

Summer Scholars is a collaborative effort between Northern Arizona University (EEOP-ITEP) and the sponsoring school districts. School districts interested in developing a Summer Scholars Program for their students are invited to contact EEOP.