Outreach - SPICE Research Group
Construction Management
Bert S. Turner Department of
Sustainable
Planning & Innovation in
Construction & Engineering
Research Lab
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----- Community Outreaches -----
We at the Sustainable Planning & Innovation in Construction & Engineering (SPICE) research lab are proud to be a community resource for science and engineering education. Our goal is to provide services to local communities by understanding the issues that affect them and helping them to overcome those issues.
LSU High School Summer Research (HSSR) Program (2020 to Present, Baton Rouge, LA)
The LSU High School Summer Research (HSSR) Program is an outreach initiative aimed at engaging high-achieving high school students in real research in the fields of engineering, computer science, and construction management. HSSR interns have opportunities to learn from faculty research groups and understand how they work, what inspires them, and how to continue in fields related to engineering in college and beyond. Dr. Jafari has served as a "research advisor" to give local high school students meaningful experiences in engineering, computer science, and construction management research during summer.
Summer 2021
Student Name: Catherine Shaw
High School: LSU Lab School
Research Topic: A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Presentation Date: July 30, 2021
* Won the first place!
Summer 2022
Student Name: Sarah Thomas
High School: Baton Rouge Magnet
Research Topic: The Impact of an Integrated Local Fan in a Central Cooling System on Occupant Thermal Comfort in Working Environments
Presentation Date: August 13, 2022
Summer 2023
Student Name: Cesar Rico
High School: Catholic High of Baton Rouge
Research Topic: A Machine-Learning Approach to Analyze Energy Burden in U.S. Low-Income Households
Presentation Date: August 12, 2023
Volunteer Coach at Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (2019 to Present, Baton Rouge, LA)
Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) is a non-profit organization with a mission of preparing high-achieving, under-resourced high school students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college so they can become full participants in society. BRYC aspires to provide its Fellows with the best college-preparatory resources money can buy — for free. Dr. Jafari is proud to serve BRYC as a "writing coach," offering help to 12th-graders write effective college and scholarship essays, and a "research mentor," offering support to a group of 3-5 students on a year-long research project. For more information about the BRYC, visit https://thebryc.org/
2020-2021 Late Breakfast Club (LBC) Team
We studied Environmental Justice by investigating the impact of air polution on the physical health of K-12 students of color in Baton Rouge, LA, using a survey. Here is our presentation (It was online because of the pandemic):
CMGSA Seminar on Effective Poster Presentation (February 2019, Baton Rouge, LA)
A poster presentation, at a congress or conference with an academic or professional focus, is the presentation of research information in the form of a paper poster that conference participants may view. Poster presentations are particularly prominent at scientific conferences such as medical and engineering congresses. To help LSU Construction Management Graduate student, Dr. Jafari held a seminar on how to effectively prepare research posters and present them. This seminar was held with the participation of CMGSA (Construction Management Graduate Students Association) at LSU.
UNM School of Engineering Annual Open House (2014 to 2018, Albuquerque, NM)
The University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Engineering holds an Open House every year; so that the high school students who are considering attending UNM School of Engineering will get a chance to find out what the School is all about. Prospective students and their parents can talk with advisors and professors, tour labs and facilities, and get information on scholarships and financial aid. Dr. Jafari served in several UNM annual open house as a Construction Management Program representative to demonstrate the construction path to the future as well as leading construction-related activities in the event location.