Welcome to Science and Social Studies Adventures!

Building a better future by making connections between what happens in research and society.

Science and Social Studies Adventures (SASSAk12) is about bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise from within the community to enhance K-12 education. Whether in the classroom or in the field, our hands-on activities encourage the development of critical thinking skills and offer students innovative inquiry-based approaches for learning complex subjects. These materials are also adaptable to accommodate various learning styles, not just those developed for mainstream settings.

We connect researchers with K-12 students to help both sides better understand the relationship between what happens in research and what happens in society.

Learn about how we work by clicking here !

What is Science?

For us, science encompasses different ways diverse people explore and respond to phenomena in our natural and social worlds; social studies is concerned with the implications of these phenomena on past and present human groups. We further emphasize this connection by advocating K-12 participation in original research.

What is our Impact?

12,550

students served across all SASSAk12 events since 2015.

90

graduate and undergraduate researchers participating in our “Preparing Researchers for Engaging the Public” (PREP) program.

53

parent & community member volunteers.

Up to this point, SASSAk12 has been entirely volunteer oriented, but due to our growth with regards to students, schools, and other public programs served, we are transitioning to seek donations to better support the continued growth of our community.

Consider contributing to SASSAk12’s next stage of success by donating here!

SASSAK12 builds community by…

“SASSAk12 provides real hands-on learning in an innovative way!”

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We help you realize your potential

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“SASSAk12 provides real hands-on learning in an innovative way!” ✴︎ We help you realize your potential ✴︎

Getting involved!

Whether you are an educator, a K-12 student, a college student, a parent, or simply a member of the community, we welcome you to get involved in the SASSAk12 community!

Learn about ways to volunteer.

Invite us to your classroom.

Discover ways to donate.

What are we up to now?

Interested in learning about our most recent projects and activities?

Follow us on social media and checkout our updates page for more details on what SASSAk12 is up to today!

Publications & Conferece Presentations

Yezzi-Woodley, K., Kestly, C., Albrecht, B., Creager, P., Abdella, J., & Hayes, K. (2019). Science and social studies adventures: Using an interdisciplinary approach to inspire school-age children to become knowledge producers. In Public Engagement and Education: Developing and Fostering Stewardship for an Archaeological Future (pp. 45-73). Berghahn Books. (January)
Yezzi-Woodley, K., Abdella, J., & Erdman, K. (2020, March). Beyond" Outreach": Effective Strategies for Engaging At-Risk High School Students in Biological Anthropology. Beyond “Outreach”: Effective Strategies for Engaging At-Risk High School Students in Biological Anthropology. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (Vol. 171, pp. 314-314). 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA: WILEY.
Chair and co-organizer, Connecting with Youth Scholars in the Era of COVID-19, Invited Symposium, 90th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, April 7-28, 2021 - Chair: Katrina Yezzi-Woodley; Co-organizers: Katrina Yezzi-Woodley, University of Minnesota and Samantha Porter, University of Minnesota; 90th Annual Meeting, Virtual (2021) April 7 -28, 2021
Yezzi-Woodley, K. E., & Porter, S. T. (2021, March). Leveraging the Language of Modern Video Creation in Science Engagement. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (Vol. 174, pp. 116-117). 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA: WILEY.
Abdella, J. D., & Yezzi-Woodley, K. E. (2021, March). How High School Biology Teachers Can Engage Students Through Online Learning Using Human Evolution. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (Vol. 174, pp. 1-1). 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA: WILEY.
Presentations at the Minnesota Earth Science Teachers Association in 2019 and 2020.
91st Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado (2022); Education in Biological Anthropology: Games, Committees and Effective Learning Contributed Poster Presentations Chair: Katrina Yezzi-Woodley Plaza Foyer.
Poster: The AABA Education Committee: Where it has been, where it is going, how we hope to get there. K.E. YEZZI-WOODLEY, R.C. O’MALLEY, C. SCHREIN, K. MCGRATH, N. LOPERGOLO, A.C. OWINGS, B. POBINER; Chair, Education in Biological Anthropology: Games, Committees and Effective Learning, Contributed Poster Presentations, 91st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, March 23-26, 2022