The INFORMS K-12 Resource Hub: Scalable K-12 Outreach for a Global Audience

The INFORMS K-12 Education Outreach and Networking Program is a new, platform-centered outreach initiative designed to make operations research, management science, industrial engineering (IE) and business analytics engaging, accessible and scalable for K-12 students around the world. Our vision is simply to provide a flexible, sustainable, global platform that can reach more students without the limitations of location or volunteer availability. This program is administered by the K-12 Committee, one of three subcommittees of the INFORMS Education Outreach Committee.

Launched in 2023, our program has already grown into a multipronged outreach platform, featuring the following.

1. Webinar Series: Our program has hosted five online webinars featuring speakers from Georgia Tech, University of Arizona, Pennsylvania State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Arizona State University. Two additional sessions are already planned. Each webinar highlights practical strategies, success stories and lessons learned in K-12 outreach, offering participants both inspiration and actionable ideas. The webinars draw a diverse audience of educators, outreach volunteers and INFORMS professionals who share a common interest in expanding STEM engagement. To maximize impact, each webinar is recorded and made available on our program website (www.informs-k12.com), ensuring that the content remains accessible to anyone interested in learning and contributing, regardless of time zone or schedule.
2. In-person Panel Sessions at INFORMS Annual Meeting: A cornerstone of our program since 2023, we have hosted a panel each year at the Annual Meeting, and one is scheduled for the 2025 INFORMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta. The face-to-face format fosters rich, real-time discussion and networking that cannot be fully replicated online. Participants engage directly with panelists, exchange ideas in the moment and build connections that often lead to future collaborations. These sessions have become a valuable space for energizing the INFORMS community around K-12 engagement and showcasing the breadth of outreach efforts happening across the community. After each session, we publish an article summarizing the key discussion points and results, helping to spread the ideas and words to an even broader audience.
3. K-12 STEM Spark Poster Competition: Expanding beyond our previous activities, which primarily focused on sharing outreach practices by college-level educators, our poster competition is designed to develop content directly focusing on high school students. We seek to develop content to reach younger learners sparking curiosity about OR/MS, IE and business analytics. The STEM Spark: INFORMS K-12 Poster Competition [1] is open to all INFORMS student members and focuses on showcasing their research in an accessible and engaging way for high school audiences. The goal is to inspire the next generation of educators and hone their skills in communicating and connecting with high school students by showing how OR/MS, IE and business analytics apply to real-world challenges. This, in turn, helps to build the next generation of analytical thinkers and strengthens the long-term STEM pipeline.
4. Website Hub: At the heart of the program is our K-12 Education Outreach and Networking Website – a growing online library of interactive and accessible materials that bring OR/MS and industrial analytics to life for younger audiences. The site aims to:

• • Capture and showcase K-12 activities organized within the INFORMS community.
  • Share high-quality resources that make complex ideas clear, fun and hands-on.
  • Connect people worldwide through lively forums and collaborative spaces.
  • Host interactive events that spark exploration, creativity and problem-solving.

All materials are designed to be accessible and flexible in use, whether for outreach volunteers leading workshops; classroom teachers integrating OR/MS, IE and business analytics into lessons; or motivated students learning independently.

Looking ahead, the INFORMS K-12 Education Outreach and Networking Program seeks to increase its impact through a portfolio of innovative outreach initiatives. By combining online resources with the connection of in-person events, and directly engaging K-12 students, we are building a vibrant and sustainable pipeline for the next generation of problem-solvers. We invite all members of the INFORMS community to explore our resources, participate in upcoming activities and join us in inspiring curiosity, creativity and confidence in OR/MS, IE and business analytics for students everywhere.

Reference

1. https://www.informs-k12.com/stem-spark-informs-k-12-poster-competition