Teachers Encouraged to Apply for Summer Research Opportunities in Materials Science at UMass Amherst

March 19, 2008

Contact:

Greg Dabkowski 413/545-0045

AMHERST, Mass. – The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is soliciting applications from middle school and high school teachers for this summer’s Research Experiences for Teachers program.

Ten teachers will be selected to participate in team research at the Silvio O. Conte National Center for Polymer Research. Topics under consideration include nanomembranes, crystallization in confined geometries, sensors, polymer deformation and nanostructures. Participants will develop teaching modules based on their research to transfer their experiences to their classroom curricula. Since research on polymers includes chemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics, the modules can readily fit into state-mandated frameworks. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation.

The program begins at the end of June and has a flexible duration. Teachers can choose to participate for six, seven or eight weeks. Benefits include a stipend of $1,000 per week, six graduate credits and 135 professional development points. For those relocating to Amherst, an additional $1,000 housing allotment is also provided. No previous research experience is required and further information can be obtained at www.pse.umass.edu/mrsec/ret.html.

To be considered, you must be a U.S. citizen and provide the following with your application: a copy of your valid U.S. passport, or a copy of your birth certificate and driver’s license or Social Security card. Please provide an updated resume along with a paragraph detailing the subjects that you teach and the number of students taught, as well as any extra-curricular activities. Describe how a research experience could benefit your teaching. Electronic or hard copy applications are acceptable. The deadline is April 7. Application materials should be submitted to: Greg Dabkowski, UMass-PSE-Conte, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA. 01003, or gdabkowski@research.umass.edu. For additional information, call 413/545-0045.

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