Caltech Classroom Connection: An Outreach Partnership Program Between Caltech Scientists and K-12 Teachers

The Caltech Classroom Connection (CCC) is a volunteer outreach program whose goal is to supplement science, math and engineering education in local K-12 classrooms through individual scientist-teacher partnerships. Caltech graduate students, postdocs, staff and faculty volunteers are paired with teachers to develop a mutually beneficial and sustainable partnership. Targeted schools include the Pasadena Unified School District in which 76{\%} of the student demographic consists of Hispanic and African American students, historically underrepresented in science, math and engineering careers. Student surveys are being developed to follow trends in science attitudes and science appreciation after interaction with a Caltech volunteer throughout the school year. The students are also affected by the increase in science awareness and confidence of the teacher, especially at the elementary level. We will present the program's results over the past five years as well as future plans for improvement and expansion.