Department of Energy Academies Creating Teacher Scientists

TAI Program Descriptions

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a Collaborative National Center for plasma and fusion science. Its primary mission is to develop the scientific understanding and the key innovations that will lead to an attractive new energy source. Associated missions include conducting world-leading research along the broad frontier of plasma science and technology, and providing the highest quality of scientific education.

PPPL is pleased to offer a Department of Energy Academies Creating Teacher-Scientists (DOE-ACTS) Program for middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers (STEM) in 2008. This program uses the mentoring talent and unique resources at PPPL to:

• Immerse teachers directly into the nature of science, technology, and engineering by providing them hands-on experiences based on research conducted at PPPL
• Support teachers’ efforts to become key leaders in their schools and school districts through curriculum improvement efforts that are aligned with State and National Science Education Standards
• Support improved student achievement

Specifically, the PPPL DOE-ACTS program consists of two separate components and participants may apply to either (but not both) in 2008:

• Educator as Researcher Program: an eight-week program that will allow teachers to work in a mentored research experience in collaboration with a PPPL scientist from June 23 – August 15, 2008. This program is designed to match a teacher with a specific mentor based upon their mutual needs and interests. Opportunities include research in fusion energy, astronomy, material science, and environmental science. Each participant will join a team of researchers that includes a PPPL staff member and will also include an undergraduate student participating in the DOE Summer Undergraduate Laboratory Program (SULI). Participants will meet weekly with a PPPL Master Teacher to develop strategies for using the research experience to develop new curricula for the classroom. Previous research experience is not required.
  
• Educators as Investigators Program: a four-week professional development program from July 7 – August 1, 2008 centered upon renewable energy sources (solar, hydrogen, fusion, wind, etc) for STEM teachers. The overall goals of the program are to: 1) immerse participants in hands-on laboratory experiences that explore the science and technology of energy; 2) develop new inquiry-based curricula, aligned with State and National standards that use energy as a theme for exploring various topics in physical and environmental science; 3) support participants as teacher-leaders at the local and national level and; 4) develop and implement assessment tools that measure the impact of the program on student achievement. Along with these goals, participants will have an opportunity to refresh their research methodology skills and learn how emerging energy technologies will have an impact on society in the coming years. In addition to a focus on energy, the program will also include a broad spectrum of activities that teachers can use in their classroom. Time will be allowed for teachers to build some of the new activities that they can then take with them at the end of the program.