Sound production and reception are accessible topics for people to gain an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields through its interdisciplinary nature (engineering, neuroscience, math, biology, etc.) and relatable features (sound waves, personal experience with sound). With the overall goal of stimulating excitement for STEM in people across ages, we are developing a mobile exhibit featuring sound production and reception in partnership with local speaker company, Kicker. Kicker will bring the display to festivals where they are presenting their company to bring science to the public where they are, rather than folks having to come to science spaces. The exhibit will also travel to local schools and be designed and tested on campus at OSU. We are creating an industry and academic partnership through design of the exhibit which will be a collaboration between an OSU undergraduate intern working both with Dr. McCullagh and the staff at Kicker. This project will lead to a broad impact, directly benefiting career and professional development for people at OSU designing the project, the OSU community that gets to learn as they interact with the exhibit, local Oklahoma schools, and the broader general public. This proposal exemplifies community engagement by partnering academia with local industry to directly impact local communities within Oklahoma and across the United States.

Primary objectives:

• Bring science to the public through tradeshows, school interaction, and OSU campus deployment
• Provide public-private experience for students working on the project and hands-on training relevant to multiple career paths
• Stimulate excitement for science in those interacting with the exhibit across ages

The position:

-Looking for an highly motivated undergrad interested in science communication/education and a strong interest or background in Biology/Physics/Neuroscience

-Hourly position for 20 hours per week split between time at Kicker, engaging stakeholders, and the McCullagh lab

-Start July 1st through August 18th at $17 / hr

-Preferred qualifications include ability to work with tools, communication skills, organized, motivated, and commitment to the project

For consideration send your CV/resume and short (500 words or less) statement of interest to Liz McCullagh (elizabeth.mccullagh@okstate.edu) by 5/31