A grant is being requested to support high school science teachers from schools in the Delaware Valley. The teachers will undertake a summer research program for six weeks from June 23 through August 1, 2008 and each will be assigned to a senior investigator in five of our IRG and Seed programs within the PENN MRSEC. It is proposed that each teacher learn a specific instrumental technique that is seminal to the research interests of the group, e.g. x-ray diffraction or scanning electron microscopy, which he/she will use to conduct a short research assignment pertinent to the goals of the group.

During the first week the teachers will be given instruction on laboratory safety and a mini course on materials science that will cover most of the major classes of materials: metals, polymers, ceramics, semiconductors, and biomaterials plus an overview of the major characterization techniques used in the MRSEC. This will include tours and demonstrations of the MRSEC's Shared Experimental Facilities. Instruction will also be given on research methodology.

Each teacher will be expected to present a short oral report on his/her research activity during the last week of the program and also to submit a short, written report. The oral report will be videotaped and given to the teacher as a teaching aid. Teachers will also be encouraged to attend the enrichment course for science teachers given by the LRSM throughout the school year. Teachers will be expected to return to the LRSM at the start of the following summer to present an oral report on their experiences throughout the year to the incoming class of teachers.

Teachers will be selected from public and private schools in the Delaware Valley that are within commuting distance of the PENN MRSEC. Information on the program will be disseminated by flyer to schools and will include details of the faculty mentors, their research interests, and techniques to be learned. Application to the program will be through on-line registration via the PENN MRSEC web site, www.lrsm.upenn.edu, which will also contain details of the program. The teacher's stipend for this program is anticipated to be approximately $5,000.

The following MRSEC faculty members will accept teachers for research experience in the topics listed below.

Prof. Ritesh Agarwal , Materials Science and Engineering
'TBA'

Prof. I-Wei Chen, Materials Science and Engineering
'A Study of Nanoparticles for Use in Biomedical Applications'

Prof. Russ Composto, Materials Science and Engineering
'Characterization of Polymer Membranes'

Prof. Jack Fischer, Materials Science and Engineering
'Physical Characterization of Nanomaterials'

Prof. Alan T. Johnson, Physics and Astronomy
'Carbon Nanotube Nanoelectronics'

Prof. David E. Luzzi, Materials Science and Engineering
'Filling and Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes'

Prof. Karen Winey, Materials Science and Engineering
'Nanostructures in Polymers'

* Applications are due by May 1, 2008
For further information contact Dr. Andrew R. McGhie at mcghie@lrsm.upenn.edu

On-Line Application Form

Send application to: