Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Chemical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Jamie Hestekin

Abstract

Engineering and planetary science outreach programs are increasingly important as industries and research organizations face growing demand for STEM professionals. Despite the importance of these fields, many students receive little exposure to engineering careers during their early educational experiences. This honors thesis examines the effectiveness of interactive STEM outreach presentations designed for elementary and middle school students. Specifically, this study evaluates outreach activities centered on chemical engineering applications and the NASA M2M CO₂ regeneration project for Martian environments.

Two student age groups participated in this study: 2nd grade students at Butterfield Elementary School and 7th grade students at Woodland Junior High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Presentations incorporated kinesthetic learning activities, real-world engineering examples, simplified analogies, and interactive communication strategies. Teacher surveys were used to evaluate whether the presentations successfully met learning objectives related to engineering understanding, student confidence, and awareness of NASA-related engineering projects.

Results indicated that the 2nd grade presentations successfully met all stated learning objectives according to teacher feedback. The middle school presentations achieved mixed results, particularly in relation to student confidence and engagement. Observations during the middle school activities revealed noticeable differences in student persistence and participation when challenges arose. Findings from this study suggest that outreach programs are most effective when learning objectives are clearly established prior to presentation development, activities are tailored to the developmental level of the audience, and presenters intentionally foster student confidence alongside technical understanding.

This thesis contributes to broader discussions regarding STEM outreach strategies and highlights the importance of early engineering exposure, active learning methods, and age-appropriate communication techniques in promoting long-term interest in STEM careers.

Keywords

STEM outreach, presentation strategies

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