Multifaceted education, outreach, and collaborations with industry, national laboratories, and nonprofit organizations are designed to attract and train a diverse group of next-generation scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary research with an emphasis on the design of innovative materials. The UCI MRSEC will build a strong domestic workforce by increasing the participation of women, underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities at all academic and professional levels via targeted recruitment, career development, and mentorship.  Participants will be trained to innovate and effectively advocate for science and diversity in addition to future high-tech jobs in industry, national laboratories, and academia.

UCI MRSEC’s unique educational opportunities in materials science and engineering at the K-14, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc levels include: (1) a two-week Materials Summer Program to Inspire, Recruit, and Expose (M-SPIRE) for high school and community college students; (2) FutureMaterials, educational modules for K-14 instructors and students to link the materials research field to societal problems; (3) Materials Research Experiences for Undergraduates (Materials REU); (4) Junior Research Fellows Program, which will focus on training future leaders and scientists; (5) the Materials Innovation Slam, an annual competition for students and postdocs to enhance communication skills and engage the public in their work; and (6) an Advanced Topics Short Course in advanced materials characterization to train participants in the forefront of materials research.