Turning Cutting-Edge Research into Secondary Curriculum
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Turning Cutting-Edge Research into Secondary Curriculum Greta M.Zenner,1 Wendy C. Crone,1,2 J. Aura Gimm,3 Ken W.Lux,1; Paul M. Voyles,1,4 Nicholas L. Abbott,1,5 Anthony P.Cina,6 Ann Pumper Comins, 7 Johan Tabora,8 Pamela Tuchscherer,9 Tyson Tuchscherer,10 P. John Whitsett, 11 Cindy G.Widstrand12 1. Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. 2. Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. 3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. 4. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. 5. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. 6. O'Keefe Middle School, Madison, WI, USA. 7. Madison Memorial High School, Madison, WI, USA. 8. Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago, IL, USA. 9. Gearhart School, Gearhart, OR, USA. 10. Daly Middle School, Lakeview, OR, USA. 11. Fond du Lac High School, Fond du Lac, WI, USA. 12. Stoughton High School, Stoughton, WI, USA. ABSTRACT Traditional science classroom activities rely on topics and experiments that are distant from the forefront of scientific research. As a result, students view science as stagnant and far removed from real life. Through a National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program, we at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) work with secondary teachers to transform cutting-edge research in nanoscale science and engineering into curriculum that is appropriate for middle- and high-school classrooms. This benefits everyone involved: teachers learn about innovative science and the process of research; UW MRSEC personnel learn about science education and the state of today's schools; and students get to test and engage with new curriculum about breakthrough research. This past summer our RET participants conducted research on and developed curriculum about "smart" papers with microencapsulation technology, fuel cells, nano biosensors and liquid crystals, glassy metals, and Wells models. INTRODUCTION The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) offers teachers the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in nanotechnology and materials science and to create classroom curriculum based on that research. This National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program at UW provides K-12 teachers with support to participate in a 5-week, full-time summer program. As RET fellows, teachers work with MRSEC faculty, post docs, staff, and graduate students to develop curriculum and conduct necessary related research. The RET participants
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also collaborate with the RET program director and each other as they learn about the process of science, create grade level-appropriate classroom materials, and explore the Nanoworld. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The
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