Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs)

Dates: June 20 – July 2, 2010

Have you ever wanted to be part of scientific research team? Have you ever wanted to bring the excitement of authentic research into the classroom? Siemens teachers as Researchers (STARs) will provide the experience, resources, and contacts you need to do just that!

Program Description and Benefits
Siemens Teachers as Researchers is a two-week residential professional development program, all expenses paid*, in which teachers will engage in mentored research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. STARs provides middle school and high school STEM teachers the opportunity to engage with top scientists and researchers on short-term research projects about current topics of national interest that are related to ongoing research at the laboratory.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is America’s largest, multi-purpose, national research laboratory. Its primary research areas are neutron science, advanced materials, biological systems, energy, national security, nanotechnology, chemical sciences, nuclear physics, and high performance computing. ORNL is home to more than 50 scientific centers and specialized facilities, including the Spallation Neutron Source, National Center for Computational Sciences, Joint Institute for Neutron Sciences, Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Bioenergy Science Center, Center for Nanophase Material Sciences, National Transportation Research Center, and the Tennessee Solar Initiative.

ORNL mentor scientists will design short-term research projects on current topics of national interest that are related to ongoing research at the laboratory. Working in teams of 4 to 5, teachers will collaborate with ORNL scientific teams to conduct assigned research projects. DOE-ACTS teachers at ORNL will provide additional leadership and resources to help you incorporate research into your science and math classrooms.

In addition to the research immersion, you will have additional educational enhancements in the form of seminars, mini-workshops, tours, and field trips to focus and expand the research experience.

Examples of these are:

Tours

• ORNL Centers and laboratories
• Buffalo Mountain Wind Farm
• Net-Zero Energy Houses
• ORAU Cytogenetics Biodosimetry Lab

Seminars and Workshops

• Introduction to Classroom Technologies
• Effective Integration of Technology into the Classroom
• Photo/Video Essays in Science Classrooms
• Technical Writing and Scientific Literacy
• Taking Research Experiences Back into the Classroom
• How to Implement a Scientific Research Credit Class
• Lesson Plans and Best Practices
• Seminars by ORNL Scientists

Field Trips

• Knoxville Zoo – Night Safari on Endangered Species
• American Museum of Science and Energy
• Chattanooga Aquarium

This immersion into authentic research, professional scientific collaboration, and educational enhancements will provide insight, resources, and scientific contacts to teachers as you re-enter the classroom.

Financial Benefits for Teachers

• Paid travel (airline flights or up to $500 round-trip mileage reimbursement)
• Paid lodging – double occupancy housing at the Comfort Inn, Oak Ridge, TN
• Paid meals
• Paid entrance fees for field trips and cultural activities
• $300 stipend
• $500 mini-grant to purchase equipment and/or supplies for your classroom

More Information

• Event Pictures
• See the STARs
• Program Overview
• Eligibility Criteria
• Program Schedule
• Provisions

Contact Information:
Marie Westfall, Manager
Center for Science Education
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
P.O. Box 117, MS 36
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117
865-576-3425