Reed College Science Outreach

Building a foundation for scientific literacy in the next generation . . . since 1996.

A large group of young students dressed in warm coats and hats watch salmon being released into the Willamette River
Students gather at the Willamette River for salmon release day.

Reed College's Science Outreach program creates partnerships between Reed College and local public schools to provide public school students with engaging, hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences, every week! Since 2018, the Science Outreach program has grown to include curriculum based in math, computer science, and physics. 

Our programs rely on the transformative power of community-based learning to involve Reed undergraduates with students and teachers in the Portland community.

Along the way, public school students gain exposure to rigorous, NGSS-aligned inquiry lessons and the confidence to dive into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) fields head-first. 

Likewise, Reed undergraduates represent the College by sharing time and resources with the greater Portland area, as well as gaining experience as teacher leaders through a significant amount of in-classroom teaching time. 

Read more about the program.

Interested?

Reed undergraduates: We are always seeking enthusiastic students to teach, work in the lab or volunteer!

  • Are you looking for a service-learning opportunity that gets you out of the bubble and lets you serve the greater Portland community?
  • Would you like to connect with an enthusiastic and passionate group of Reedies?
  • Would you like to be a role model to students from a wide range of backgrounds?
  • Do you enjoy working with children and would like to learn more about teaching and careers in education?
  • Want to share your passion for science and inspire a new generation of scientists?

Learn more about why you should join us!

Public School Teachers and Principals: How can we partner with you?

  • Are you looking for the opportunity to bring rigorous, hands-on, NGSS-aligned science, computer science and/or math lessons into your classroom every week?
  • Want to share your passion for education with a group of enthusiastic undergraduate students?
  • Other ideas? 
  • More info

Please contact Siira Rieschl, program manager, by email at siirar@reed.edu or by phone at 503-788-6625.

Program Office: Bio 246
Siira's Office: Bio 216

Reedie helping student observe something in a microscope.