Cornell Center for Materials Research

Research Experience for Teachers I 2005

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The 2005 Team-RET participants were (from left to right):

  • Richard Hendrick - Nazareth Academy, Rochester, NY
  • Sharon Ramsay - Norwich High School, Norwich, NY
  • Youning (Neil) Wang - Murry Bergtraum High School, NYC, NY
  • Sydney Mendez - Nottingham High School, Syracuse, NY
  • Ulugbek Akhmedov - Baruch College Campus High School, NYC, NY
  • Karrie Frey - Tully Junior/Senior High School, Tully, NY

The teachers spent much of their time in CCMR's Shared Experimental Facilities. Included in the Team-RET program for the first time was the Hudson Mesoscale Processing Facility with facility manager Dr. Yuanming Zhang where the teachers tested the mechanical properties of polymers. They also were given the opportunity to attend research talks, meet with faculty members and graduate students, tour other research facilities at Cornell and enjoy the scenic and geologic beauty of Ithaca's gorges. In fact, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Alex Moore (center) provided the teachers with a tour and talk on the Evolution of Waterfalls and Gorges.

The 2005 Team-RET program ran from June 27 - August 5 and included the following activities:

  • "Introduction to Materials Science" (Prof. Kit Umbach)
  • Tour of Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source and CLEO
  • Evolution of Waterfalls and Gorges (Prof. Alex Moore)
  • Diffraction and Enzymes (Graduate student Gil Toombes)
  • "The Substance of Civilization" (Prof. Stephen Sass)
  • "Diffraction of Proteins" (Prof. Rob Thorne)
  • Tour of Cornell Nano-Scale Science and Technology Facility
  • Electron and Optical Microscopy Facility
  • Computing and PowerPoint Training
  • Production and Characterization of Nano-Fibers (Prof. Yong Joo)
  • Materials Facility
  • Polymer Characterization Facility
  • X-Ray Diffraction Facility
  • Safety Training
  • Hudson Mesoscale Facility
  • Tour of Physical Sciences Library
  • UHV-STEM Laboratory

Optional talks included:

  • "Soft Computing Methods and Mechanics of Materials" (Prof. Wilkins Aquino)
  • "Self-Assembly of Micro and Nano Structures" (Prof. Abe Stroock)
  • "How to Send Physical Objects Through the Internet: 3D Printing" (Prof. Hod Lipson)
  • "Musical Science: Chemistry of Historic Organ Pipe Materials" (Post-Doc Catherine Oertel)

 

Research Experience for Teachers II 2005

Independent-RET: June 27- August 5, 2005

2005 saw two Team-RET alumni return to work with faculty members on research projects in the Independent-RET program.

 

Ranald Bleakley teaches Physics and Chemistry at Weedsport High School in Weedsport, NY. Ranald (center) worked with Physics Professor Jeevak Parpia (left) and graduate student Robert Reichenbach (right) during the summer. His research focused on coupled and entrained resonators. His experiment was designed to investigate coupling effects between pairs of micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) dome oscillators. Ranald originally participated in the Team-RET program in 2002.

 

David Ruth teaches Physics, Chemistry and Biology at South Seneca High School in Ovid, NY. David (left) worked with Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Professor Yong Joo (right) and graduate student Jeanne Panels (center) during the summer. His research focused on incorporating tin into electro-spun silica fibers. David originally participated in the Team-RET program in 2003.

 

At the end of the RET program, teachers are expected to develop a materials science related lesson plan. These lesson plans, which we refer to as modules, have been as varied as the teacher that have participated and have ranged in topic from geology to biodegradable polymers to balsa wood bridges. The full list of RET developed modules can be found on our RET Modules page.

 
Edited on: 17 August 2009 11:35 am