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The University of New Mexico

  • UNM Physics and Astronomy Professor and Associate VP for Research, Dr. Trish Henning, led a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array in Socorro, NM in collaboration with the STEM Collaborative Center to help undergrads understand how she uses the VLA to map galaxies hidden by the Milky Way.

  • Field Parasitology and Museums: A Day in the Life of a Parasite

    Students gained field and laboratory experience by collecting snails at the Rio Grande Nature Center and examined, processed and cataloged the sample parasites into the Museum of Southwestern Biology’s Division of Parasites for preservation and for future work.

  • U.S. Department of Education invests in UNM minority student achievement by funding STEM Gateway, STEM UP, and STEM Collaborative Center. Here

  • UNM Structural Engineering Ph.D. student, Roya Nasimi, uses technology to examine aging infrastructure with advisor, Asst. Prof. Ferando Moreu. Learn More

UNM BROADER IMPACTS


The National Science Foundation (NSF) describes Broader Impacts as being the potential of a research project to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes. Per the NSF, broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through activities directly related to specific research projects, or through activities supported by, yet complementary to the project. Even though the NSF is the only sponsor that specifically names Broader Impacts as an evaluation measure, this desire to improve the world around us through research and other externally funded endeavors is common to most funding opportunities. As a result, the OVPR and FRDO would like to offer their assistance to faculty looking to develop broader impacts strategies to include in their proposals. Use the button below to request support. 

Submit a
Request for Proposal Support

NSF Perspectives on Broader Impacts

 

NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to the achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to:

  • Full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
  • Improved STEM education and educator development at any level
  • Increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology
  • Improved well-being of individuals in society
  • Development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce
  • Increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others
  • Improved national security
  • Increased economic competitiveness of the US
  • Enhanced infrastructure for research and education

NSF Broader Impacts
Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) receives about 50,000 proposals for funding. Because there are many more worthy proposals than NSF is able to fund, the foundation distinguishes among them through a merit review process that incorporates two criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. Read about more broader impacts examples from the NSF here.


Potential Outreach and Broader Impact Partners Available to UNM Faculty

 

UNM STEM University

STEM University is a collection of free outside-of-class activities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines (STEM) put on by the STEM Collaboration Center. These events connect UNM students with STEM research, scientists, technology and leadership. Faculty can post STEM events by following this link. Click here to access the current list of STEM University events.

UNM Outreach Organizations

Organizations on campus devoted to the recruitment, retention, and education of students from minority and underrepresented groups.

African American Student Services
American Indian Student Services
El Centra de la Raza
Native Americans in STEM (NASTEM)
Project for NM Graduates of Color
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
Student Support Services
UNM Division of Equity and Inclusion

UNM College Based Outreach

A number of schools and colleges at UNM offer outreach opportunities. These are excellent places to begin your own outreach effort, either as an example to follow or as a collaborative partner. Check out the links to their outreach pages below.

College of Arts & Sciences
College of Education
College of Fine Arts
School of Architecture & Planning
School of Engineering

Mission: Graduate

Mission: Graduate is a partnership that brings together educators, employers, educational support providers, government leaders, and citizens to design collaborative projects and align organizational practice and policy toward achieving common goals. They seek partners with interest, experience, & expertise needed to successfully realize their seven core outcomes.

Research Data Support

Effective open source software and data sharing can be incorporated into broader impacts. The Research Data Services, directed by Karl Benedict, provides a variety of services in support of effective research data planning, management, preservation, discovery and use. In addition, the RDS team also provides support for several key research data infrastructure capabilities that are maintained by the Library for use by UNM's research community.

New Mexico EPSCoR

One mission is to cultivate a well-qualified and diverse Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce and develop a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Through collaborations with organizations ranging from afterschool programs to colleges and universities, from museums to business startup accelerators, NM EPSCoR Education and Outreach programs serve a wide range of audiences across the state.

CSTA New Mexico

The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) supports and promotes CS education. CSTA provides opportunities for K–12 teachers and their students to better understand computer science and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn. The NM chapter offers a ways to get involved with CS teachers helping to shape CS education in New Mexico.

Girls in STEM Groups

 

These New Mexico groups are devoted to engaging primarily K-12 girls in STEM. The NM Out-of-School Time Network also includes an assortment of programs specifically for girls.

AAUW Tech Trek at New Mexico
Expanding Your Horizon (EYH) ABQ
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails
NM Girls Connection Programs
Science Girls Lab
STEM Santa Fe

Government Labs in NM

 

Military and National Labs in New Mexico participate in a variety of outreach efforts. Some of them may provide examples to follow while others will include opportunities for partnerships. Check out the links to their outreach pages below.

Air Force Research Lab
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Sandia National Laboratories

  

Industries in NM

Industry collaborations are positive outcomes of some broader impacts. Below are links to some industries in New Mexico already working to improve STEM education and may be productive partners in your proposal.

Key Albuquerque Industries
Boeing
Honeywell
Intel
Northrop Grumman
Raytheon

STEM-H Center

The UNM STEM-H Center advances K-12 STEM+Health teaching and learning through outreach, research and education activities.

Managed by the UNM STEM-H Center for Outreach, Research and Education with support from NM EPSCoR, the NM STEM Connection provides information about STEM resources for K-12 students, teachers, parents, counselors, and administrators as well as higher education faculty/staff and community members in New Mexico.