Expanding the reach of APS PhysicsQuest using STEP UP Principles

PhysicsQuest (PQ) is one of American Physical Society's public engagement projects that aims to introduce middle school students to basic physics concepts through short activities and experiments. Recently, PQ has undergone updates to make physics more accessible and relatable as a career path, engage diverse students, focus on DEI pedagogical strategies, and incorporate principles from the STEP UP program. In order to ensure these changes are implemented, I created a set of guidelines that will be used by PQ developers and reviewers. These guidelines will help to ensure that the new goals of PQ are met in the future. Additionally, I have worked on adding extension activities, or "after the experiment" activities, to past and present PQ activities that teachers can use to further engage their students with physics concepts. These extension activities include making real world connections, presenting content in a creative way, and a design challenge, all of which have been shown to connect with diverse student populations.