Research Experience for Teachers I 2007
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999
The 2007 Team-RET participants were (from left to right):
- Adrienne Lopez - Intermediate School 347, Brooklyn, NY
- Vincent Pereira - New Exploration into Science, Technology & Math High School, New York City, NY
- David Gardner - Solvay High School, Solvay, NY
- Stephanie Metz - Webster Schroeder High School, Webster, NY
- Patrick Higgiston - Birch Wathen Lenox High School, New York City, NY
- Michael Fitzgerald - Union Endicott High School, Endicott, NY
While most of the their time was spent in the CCMR shared experimental facilities (such as shown here with AFM Facility Specialist, Dr. Jon Shu) the teachers were also 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.
The 2007 Team-RET program ran from July 2 - August 10 and included the following activities:
- "Introduction to Materials Science" (Prof. Kit Umbach)
- Materials Facility
Safety Training- Polymer Characterization Facility
- Hudson Mesoscale Processing Facility
- X-Ray Diffraction Facility
- Tour of Physical Sciences Library
- Nitinol Classroom Activity
- Diffraction Classroom Activity
- Energy and Society (Dr. Paul Mutolo)
- Electron and Optical Microscopy Facility
- Exploration of Physics Demonstrations (Prof. Jeevak Parpia)
- Scientific Presentation Workshop (Prof. Melissa Hines)
- Glassblowing
- Evolution of Waterfalls and Gorges (Prof. Alex Moore)
- Tour of Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source and CLEO
- Tour of Cornell Nanofabrication Facility
- "Why Should I Care? Teaching Physics to Non-Believers" (Prof. Rob Thorne)
- Tour of Computer Aided Virtual Environment
- UHV-STEM Laboratory
- Computing and PowerPoint Training
Optional talks included:
- "Energy and Fuel Cells: Demos and Thoughts about the Future" (Prof. Frank DiSalvo)
- "How Trees Transpire–Lessons from Building Artificial Leaves" (Prof. Abraham Stroock)
- "Biomineralization and Bio-Inspired Materials Synthesis" (Prof. Lara Estroff)
Research Experience for Teachers II 2007
Independent-RET: July 2 - August 24, 2007
2007 saw three Team-RET alumni return to work with faculty members on research projects in the Independent-RET program.
Dr. Myriam Ibarra teaches Earth Science at Nottingham High School in Syracuse, NY. Myriam (right) worked with Fiber Science & Apparel Design Professor Anil Netravali (left) during the summer. Her research focused on testing the effects of cross-linker and plasticizers on the mechanical properties of soy based polymers. Myriam originally participated in the Team-RET program in 2006.
Frank LaGatta teaches Chemistry at Shaker High School in Latham, NY. Frank (left) worked with Chemistry & Chemical Biology Professor Jón Njarðarson (right) during the summer. His research focused on how the interconversion of functional groups can cause a change of smell in organic molecules. Frank originally participated in the Team-RET program in 2006.
Tom Nabinger teaches Earth Science at Nottingham High School in Syracuse, NY. Tom (right) worked with Materials Science & Engineering Professor Lara Estroff (left) and CCMR facility manager Dr. Maura Weathers (center) during the summer. His research focused on studying the structure of zebra mussel shells. Tom originally participated in the Team-RET program in 2006.
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.
