Nanotechnology Internship for Teachers

What is nanotechnology? Materials made out of carbon stronger and more flexible than steel. Electronics in computers and gaming consoles Materials for the detection and treatment of cancer New materials that help bones heal and replace teeth Particles that can lead to inexpensive water purification systems Additives to cosmetics and sunscreens    Click here to see the 2008 Course Schedule Click here for the 2009 Application  Questions? Contact Dr. Carolyn Nichol (cnichol@rice.edu)  Send completed application to: matt.huff@rice.edu or fax it to 713-348-8218

CBEN offers a 4 week internship in our research laboratories. We use the center’s resources to focus on techniques for translating the center’s research methods and results into a classroom setting. The goals of our summer internship program piloted in the summer of 2002 are to reinforce each teacher's sense of science as a process, to deepen each teacher's understanding of the achievements and potential of nanoscience, and to apply lessons learned from the content class to a research setting.

Program Outline

• A month-long internship in a CBEN laboratory to reinforce understanding and appreciation of science as a process
• Observe and assist in research
• Interview faculty, graduate students and other lab personnel
• Review exisiting nanoscience and materials-science instructional resources
• Develop inquiry-based lesson plans that apply CBEN research
• Use digital media to bring laboratory experience to students
• Read technical articles related to research topics
• Network with fellow science teachers

Program Compensation

• $3,500 stipend upon program completion (Must be a U.S. Citizen to receive stipend for the course)
• Free parking

Program Structure

• Teachers will be placed in a CBEN faculty's research laboratory and assigned a graduate or post-doctoral student to shadow
• Orientation that includes laboratory safety training and digital media training
• Weekly three-hour meeting to discuss research experience
• Round-robin tours of teacher internship laboratories
• Observation of high school summer science academy lectures and labs
• Lesson plan meetings
• Symposium to share research project and lesson plans