

While IGERT trainees present the results of their research in a weekly Technical Exchange and Professional Development course, at an Annual IGERT Symposium, and at professional conferences, it is also important for trainees to gain the ability to synthesize the key points of their field and effectively convey them to a broader, even non-technical audience. To this end, IGERT trainees are required to work as teams to develop and execute student-led workshops and other public outreach activities aimed at transferring information related to indoor environmental quality to one or more audiences. IGERT trainee teams are responsible for producing and/or engaging in several outreach events. The trainees assume responsibility for developing the content and format of each event in collaboration with their advisors. The target audience changes from year to year and depends on the interests of the IGERT trainees. However, audiences range over a wide spectrum, including the general public, elementary through high school science teachers, home builders, architects, and others. In addition to public outreach workshops, IGERT trainees have developed public service announcements for television, informative websites for the public, and instruction modules on indoor environmental science and engineering issues for high school science teachers. Many trainees also participate in indoor environmental science demonstrations aimed at piquing the interest and curiosity of K-12 students, and they also serve as judges at science fairs in local schools.