CCMR Institute for Chemistry Teachers

Next CICT Program:
Summer 2009, at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Designed specifically for high school chemistry teachers, the CCMR Institute for Chemistry Teachers (CICT) is a unique opportunity for professional development. The Institute currently offers a one-week course CHEM 501: Contemporary Chemistry for Teachers, for graduate credit. Participants meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Through lectures by Cornell faculty, hands-on laboratory activities and research facility tours, teachers gain a deeper understanding of the topics they teach and learn about current research in the field of chemistry. Major components of the course are hands-on laboratories, several of which are tailored to address the NYS Chemistry Core Curriculum and meet the budgetary constraints of a typical high school.

CHEM 501: Contemporary Chemistry for Teachers (1 credit). This intensive one-week lecture and laboratory course is intended for high school chemistry teachers. Lectures are given by various Cornell faculty on topics such as equilibrium, organic chemistry, polymers, thermochemistry, electrochemistry and fuel cells. Corresponding laboratory activities will also be presented. Hands-on activities may include organic synthetic methods/reactions, polymer synthesis, observing equilibria change, building a battery, and creating nanoparticles. Activities will be tied to the NYS Chemistry Core Curriculum where possible.

Prerequisites: Participants must teach at least one period of high school chemistry per day, or give workshops for chemistry teachers on an on-going basis. New York State teachers preferred.

All accepted teachers will be awarded tuition, fees, a stipend and housing or local travel expenses if necessary. Participants will also receive laboratory materials to assist them in replicating the activities in their classrooms. CICT is cosponsored by CCMR, the Cornell University Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and the Cornell University School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions.

Admission: Admission to the Institute is by application only. Applications and supporting paperwork are due at the CCMR office by March 15, 2008. This includes: application form, school profile sheet, statement of purpose, resume, and two letters of reference. Acceptance notification letters will be mailed out no later than April 15, 2008. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the educational programs office.

Download the 2008 CICT application form and school profile sheet here.