Outreach & Education
At the Danforth Center, our Outreach & Education programs are dedicated to cultivating curiosity, confidence, and career pathways in plant science. Through hands-on plant science programs, we partner with schools and community organizations across the St. Louis region to connect K–12 students with scientists and experiences that complement classroom learning. For undergraduate and graduate students, and early career scientists, we offer mentoring and research experiences to build technical skills and a strong scientific identity. And for professionals seeking a new direction, our Pivot2Plants Fellows program opens doors to careers in plant and data science. Our programs are designed to foster collaboration, community, and lifelong engagement in plant science.
K–12 Plant Science Outreach and Education
Our educational model emphasizes connected learning experiences that complement classroom instruction and bring science to life. Through hands-on plant science programs students repeatedly explore how science influences the food they eat, the environment they live in, emerging technologies, and the communities around them—building curiosity, confidence, and lasting connections to STEM.
Research Internships
Immersive lab experiences and strong mentors are essential to fostering the next generation of plant scientists. Our summer internship program exposes students to all aspects of modern scientific research, from design to experimentation to reporting. By pairing each intern with a faculty mentor, students gain unique insight into the process and training involved in becoming a scientist, and the broader impact of scientific discovery.Â
Graduate Education
We partner with local universities to offer graduate students an opportunity to participate in the cutting-edge research taking place at the Danforth Center. Our faculty have affiliations with many different universities and accept graduate students through their respective universities. At the Danforth Center, students can see how their research will be applied to real-world solutions across the globe.
