NNIN Research Experience for Teachers (RET) 2008
Please click here for an RET application (pdf).
Please click here for an RET application (MS Word).
This program will engage 8 middle school and high school science teachers from within commuting distance of UCSB in an intensive 6-week experience of real-world nanotechnology research and curriculum development at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus. No prior scientific research experience is necessary. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. We welcome both pre-service and in-service teachers. We are eager to support you in your professional development goals.
Timeline:
Summer Experience 2008: July 1–Aug 8**
*All day orientation and Intro to Nano workshop
**The last week will focus on curriculum development.
Please note: If your last/first day of school slightly overlaps with these dates, please email Angela (below) and indicate this on your application. We will still consider your application, however the time missed would need to be made up.
- Participate in a 2-day introduction to nanotechnology; where you will manipulate and learn to use tools for nanotechnology research.
- Explore one aspect of nanotechnology research under the guidance of a mentor.
- Practice presenting your research experience for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) annual conference.
- Weekly meetings will serve to guide you in translating your research experience to activities in the classroom.
- Your guide has over 8 years of curriculum development experience.
- The final week of the summer experience is dedicated to curriculum development.
- The NNIN will buy up to $150 in materials (per teacher).
- Participants of this program will periodically interface with other RET programs on the UCSB campus.
School-Year Follow-up
- Participants will schedule 3 days with the NNIN Education Coordinator who will:
- assist you in refining the instructional unit
- provide classroom support & coaching on how to incorporate the teaching module in the classroom
- The unit you develop and implement will be videotaped in your classroom.
- A final day-long follow-up meeting will be hosted (on a day that would not remove teachers from their classrooms) in which participants
- View each other’s tapes and provide constructive feedback
- Share their classroom lesson or in-service experience
- Modify their module, if needed
- Suggest modifications to the NNIN RET program
- Prepare for the NSTA presentation and the NNIN RET sharing session at the NSTA Annual Convention (both in-service and pre-service teachers will participate).
NSTA Conference (around April of 2008)
- 1 week sharing your experience at the annual meeting of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Travel expenses will be paid for by the NNIN.
- Become an NNIN Teacher Ambassador in Learning and Education in Nano-Technology (TALENT), whose members (across the country) will serve as leading educators in nanotechnology.
Stipend*: $5,500
*does NOT include the amount that NNIN will contribute
for curriculum materials or for travel.
Participants give permission for the NNIN to post, distribute, and use curriculum materials developed through this program for educational purposes. All developed materials will be tied to state and national standards.
Are you already inspired by a particular concept and would like to develop it further? We can take this information and find a research project that would complement your goals.
Other Benefits:
- Professional Development Credits will be awarded
- $150 of additional funds will be provided for materials for particpating teachers' classrooms
- We will pay for particpants' travel expenses to send them to the annual NSTA conference
Please click here for an application for this year's RET program. The deadline is April 1, 2008.
To apply, please
click here to receive application. Please complete the application, & return
by April 1, 2008 to:
Angela Berenstein, NNIN Education Programs Coordinator
ECE Dept, UC Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9560
Angela Berenstein
Phone: (805)893-5999
Fax: (805)456-4400
Please click here for pictures of current RET Participants.