Executive Summary Final - the Center for Nanoscale Science - an ...

Education and Human Resources Development
graduate students, improved their understanding and motivation about science research,
and are interested in pursuing a career in science.
Research Experience for Teachers
In the summer of 2010, four high school in-service teachers and one pre-service teacher
took part in the MRSEC RET program. The Center RET program establishes a support
group between faculty members, graduate students, RET staff and participants; it
enhances the quality of pre-college education by the development of instructional
materials; it provides teachers with information and resources on materials science and
career opportunities to become advocates in their classrooms. During the first week of the
program, teachers participated in a weeklong materials workshop. The RET participants
explored the science of materials and its applications through hands-on activities, group
discussions and qualitative explanations appropriate for high-school level curriculum.
This workshop helped the RET participants enhance the use of effective teaching
strategies in their classroom, increase materials science content knowledge, engage in
standards-based classroom activities, and explore ways to make science engaging and
enjoyable for their students. Over the next five weeks the teachers worked in materials
science research projects and in the development of instructional materials to transfer
their projects to the classroom. Teachers’ summer experience was enhanced by weekly
research seminars, professional development activities, outreach events and weekend
social gatherings. Teachers presented their research findings at a mini-symposium at Penn
State, which researchers across the University attended. Teachers worked closely with Dr.
Francelys Medina, faculty, and peers on their research projects and the development of
instructional materials based on their research projects. During the school year, teachers
are integrating the lesson plans developed during the summer.
Table 1. Undergraduate students working in Penn State MRSEC laboratories in
2010. Members of underrepresented minority groups are marked with asterisks.
Students supported by PSU MRSEC (NSF grant DMR-0820404) or PSU matching funds:
Last Name First College or University Mentor
Banavar Samhita Penn State University Moses Chan
Cain Jeffery Michigan State University Peter Schiffer
DeVetter Brent Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison Theresa Mayer
Koser Alison Kutztown Univ. of Pennsylvania Nitin Samarth
Luiggi* Claudia University of PR at Mayaguez Chris Keating
Maunu Ryan Univ. of Minnesota Jorge Sofo
Rice Anthony Carnegia Mellon University Elizabeth Dickey
Students who received stipend or housing support from non-MRSEC NSF source:
Last Name First College or University Mentor
Baez* Carlos University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Scott Phillips
Beiswenger Kristin Juniata College Ayusman Sen
Clapp Corey Amherst College Jun Zhu