Fostering science education and science careers at the University of Kentucky

The Outreach Center for Science and Health Career Opportunities opened at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in July 1993, to provide a central site of coordination for the university's science education activities designed to link those ''doing science'' at the medical center with students, teachers, and the general population throughout Kentucky. By providing an infrastructure for outreach programs and by being highly visible to the public, the center attracts extramural funding, allows tracking of the program's students, and facilitates the development of science education partnerships between the university and Kentucky communities. The rationale for establishing the center, methods of operation, and impact on the region's science literacy problem are discussed.