The Grieco Lab is dedicated to sharing our scientific curiosities and discoveries to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists. Group members will have opportunities to teach younger students about science, often through programs organized by the Office of Outreach at Auburn University (see below examples). Our strategy is to develop and implement accessible projects and demonstrations using tools and materials that are familiar to everyone. In this way, we aim to relate our cutting-edge spectroscopy research to students in a way that is fun, exciting, and accessible. We strive to motivate students to consider choosing careers in STEM.

Here are some of the programs in which the Grieco Lab has been grateful to participate.

Summer Science Institute, Auburn University

In this program, we teach students about conducting polymers and their everyday applications, such as electrochromic windows/displays. Inspired by the Nobel prize-winning discovery of conducting polymers, students synthesize a polymer film using a D-battery and change its color using a simple circuit. We then teach about the power of optical spectroscopy for studying the different colors using live absorbance measurements.

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Destination STEM, Auburn University

In this program, we give a short demonstration about light and spectroscopy. We use a computer webcam and a DVD to measure the spectrum of different light sources, including fluorescent lights, halogen bulbs, and LEDs. Students learn both about spectroscopy instrumentation and about how different colored light can be made using a combination of different colored LEDs, a key component of everyday lighting and displays.

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