Teachers to study cutting-edge science at Livermore-UC Davis summer research academy

This summer Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in collaboration with the School of Education at the University of California, Davis, will sponsor 12 regional workshops for middle and high school science teachers. The workshops will be held in Davis, Stockton, Fresno and Livermore, and will give teachers the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge scientific research conducted at the Livermore Lab.

The expectation is that the teachers will use what they learn to excite and motivate their students in pursuing careers in science.

The workshops are part of the Teacher Research Academy at LLNL and UC Davis. The academy takes a unique four-step approach to introduce teachers to breakthrough science. Each step, or level, builds on the knowledge and skills developed in the previous step.  The fourth and final level is a six- to eight-week internship in a research laboratory. The model allows teachers to advance from novice to mastery, making the program suitable for both novice and experienced teachers.

"The key to the program is flexibility," said Stan Hitomi, director of the University of California’s Edward Teller Education Center. "Teachers can select a scientific theme that interests them, and then select the level(s) at which they’ll participate."

The program currently offers workshops in biotechnology, biophotonics and astrophysics, with plans to add an energy and environment theme in 2007. The workshops consist of hands-on activities and experience using advanced scientific equipment, rather than a textbook emphasis.

"Our program provides teachers with the tools they need to excite students and generate an interest in science," Hitomi adds. "The workshops also have an effect of re-energizing and re-connecting teachers to the world of science and discovery."

Workshops will be held from June 27 to July 21 at four locations: San Joaquin County Office of Education; California State University, Fresno; University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento; and LLNL. Workshop themes, dates and locations are:

• Biotechnology/Level-1   June 27-29                 San Joaquin County Office of Education
• Biotechnology/Level-2   July 10-14                   Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Biotechnology/Level-3   July 17-21                   Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Biotechnology/Level-4   To be determined     To be determined
• Biophotonics Level-1     June 27-29                 UC Davis Medical Center
• Biophotonics Level-1     July 5-7                        San Joaquin County Office of Education
• Biophotonics Level-2     July 17-21                   UC Davis Medical Center
• Biophotonics Level-3     July 17-21                   Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Astrophysics Level-1     June 27-29                 CSU Fresno
• Astrophysics Level-1     July 5-7                        Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Astrophysics Level-2     July 10-14                    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Astrophysics Level-3     July 17-21                    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

All workshops are free. For more information and to register, visit LLNL’s Science & Technology Education Program.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission to ensure national security and to apply science and technology to the important issues of our time.  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.