SARSEF-SOUTHERN ARIZONA RESEARCH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
SARSEF's mission is to create Arizona's future critical thinkers and problem solvers through Science and Engineering. Formed in 1955 to encourage the next generation of scientists, SARSEF has grown from a modest science fair with 200 science projects to involving 50,873 PreK-12 students from 25 cities throughout Southern Arizona through the SARSEF Fair infrastructure. SARSEF has a history and success in Arizona providing opportunities for all students to participate in critical thinking and problem-solving as they conduct STEM research. The SARSEF Fair is one of the few that includes PreK through 5th grade because of the organization’s core belief that discovery and creativity begin early. SARSEF accomplishes their mission through a variety of programming including SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair Week, educational outreach programs with an emphasis on underrepresented populations in the sciences, teacher professional development, ACES Camp for Middle School girls, Racing the Sun, STAR Laboratories, and Arizona STEM Adventure.
About This Cause
SARSEF is a 501 (c)(3) located in Tucson, Arizona. For 66 years, the organization has dedicated resources to exposing youth to science, math, engineering, and technology in creative and engaging ways. As a result, student perspective is a highly-valued component—giving them the experience of solving problems that are meaningful and relevant to their lives. Students may find ways to clean up the environment, invent devices to assist people with disabilities or protect endangered species. This powerful motivator is important as students realize bigger futures for themselves, and their roles to finding solutions to pressing community problems. From a student who received her first trophy for “using my brain!” to the high school student who discovered his true calling in life was not as an automotive manager and is now at Harvard, the impact is undeniable. SARSEF now has virtual and in person programming throughout the state to directly teach critical thinking and problem solving to K-12 students. In 2010, SARSEF began year-round educational outreach to teachers, parents, and students, with a particular emphasis on reaching those in high poverty and rural areas lacking resources. SARSEF has established itself as a leader in strengthening STEM diversity by dedicating resources to closing the STEM achievement gap. SARSEF participants have become expert critical thinkers, talented scholars and world-class scientists. The organization’s extensive base of support has been a factor in receiving recognition as a 2014 Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce Copper Cactus Award recipient for Best Place to Work, and the Governor’s Award for volunteer service to the community. SARSEF's programs further the organization's mission and vision of "Every Child. Thinking Critically. Solving Problems" SARSEF Programs In-school Experiences PreK – High School Students -During our in-school outreach, a SARSEF educator works with a class for 4 sessions to transform student curiosity into a polished research project. Through these workshops, the class will discuss and identify their interests, select a single research question or problem from the class’s collective curiosities and wonderings, and design a method for gathering data to answer the question. Our in-school outreach is offered at no cost to schools. Roadmap to a Rockin' Project PreK - Middle School Students and their Parents Parents/caregivers and students work together to identify an issue they care about and are guided in the development of a science or engineering research project. Students leave ready to investigate their topic with a roadmap for their research journey and their very own lab notebook. Parents/caregivers take away a better understanding of their supporting role in the process of student research. Professional Development for Teachers PreK - High School Teachers Using phenomena-based learning, SARSEF outreach professionals guide teachers on how to engage their students in creating quality science and engineering research projects by identifying meaningful and relevant real-life challenges. Teachers will explore thought-provoking hands-on activities, lesson design, and resources to make science and engineering experiences accessible to all students. SARSEF will design Professional Development to meet your needs. Out-of-School Experiences High School Students STAR Lab is a collaboration between SARSEF and the University of Arizona Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology that provides mentorship, consultation, research supplies, and lab space for high school students to complete their own authentic research projects. Racing the Sun High school students -Students design, build and ultimately race solar-powered go-karts and develop professional skills with an emphasis on communication -Teams of students work with mentors in each field over a nine-month period -Teams race their go-carts at Musselman Honda Circuit ACES Camp Middle School Girls -Week-long science camp -Career and college exploration -Opportunities to explore a college campus -Builds excitement about pursuing higher education in STEM Arizona STEM Adventure 4th - 8th Grade Students and Teachers Every fall, 1,000 4th through 8th grade students from across Arizona adventure through a one-day glimpse into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through this collaborative event brought to you by Pima Community College, IBM, Raytheon, The STEMAZing Project, the University of Arizona, and SARSEF. STEM professionals from throughout the community share their world to motivate students to complete a science or engineering project of their own. Professional Development provides 50 teachers with best practices in guiding their students through the process of answering questions through science and engineering and $100 in materials. SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair PreK - High School Students Every year, PreK-12 students from across Southern Arizona participate in a SARSEF-affiliated fair, conducting research projects to be considered as a representative of their school. Students with the top projects advance to a week-long competition and celebration of their achievements. Around 2,000 projects typically compete at the SARSEF Regional Fair, and over $100,000 in prizes, trips and scholarships are awarded, thanks to our community support. Top high school students move on to international levels of competition. -65-year-old competition and among the largest in the world SARSEF’s ongoing accomplishments are made possible with more than 400 dedicated volunteers who contribute thousands of hours and work alongside a staff team of 9.