Teacher Resources
Program Description The Middle School Science Academy—Research Experiences project is a collaboration involving the faculty and staff of the KU Center for Science Education, the Topeka Public Schools and the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. The purpose of this project is to provide participating middle school science teachers with substantial enhancements of their science content backgrounds, experience with applying research-based pedagogy in instruction, and a clear grounding in the nature and practice of the scientific enterprise. In order to accomplish these goals, teachers will participate in three distinct experiences designed with input from university content and educational experts and district teachers and personnel:
Funding for the program is provided by the Kansas Board of Regents. The program is supported by the Kansas City Kansas and Topeka Public School administration. Participants will be paid $2,812 for a four week, hands-on research experience from June 2 through June 27, 2008. Additional Classroom Support Teachers in the MSSA-RE program will have the additional opportunity to serve as a Mentor Teacher for a KU graduate student in math, science or engineering. Each Graduate Fellow will work with the Mentor Teacher in the classroom 10-12 hours a week during the school year. Graduate students will provide content expertise while assisting with math or science lessons and instruction. Stipends for serving as a Mentor Teacher range from $2,000 to $4,500. Potential Research Experience Opportunities The 2008 MSSA-Research Experience program intends to match middle school science teachers interested in learning about scientific or engineering research with KU faculty researchers for a four week summer research immersion. At present, we cannot provide specific details about potential faculty research mentors, but we can tell you that they will be representing the fields Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering, Geography, Geology, and Physics. Many faculty researchers are active members of specialized research organizations. The general descriptions below provide some examples of potential areas of research. Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) The "Engineered Systems" that the CEBC develops consist of bench-scale, proof-of-concept reaction systems that are developed in sufficient detail to allow CEBC's industrial partners to make informed business decisions about scaling up the technology. The technology elements of an engineered system may be viewed as taking natural materials and converting them to useful products while minimizing waste and reducing energy utilization. This work involves the exploration of new materials and catalysts and materials that improve the efficiency of the processes. KU Field Station & Ecological Reserves (KSR) KSR is dedicated to field-based environmental research and education located within the transition zone (ecotone) between the eastern deciduous forest and tallgrass prairie biomes. Faculty, students, and others use the 3,000 acres of diverse native and managed habitats, experimental systems, support facilities, and long-term databases to undertake an outstanding array of studies. Environmental stewardship is a strong emphasis as high-quality natural areas are preserved for the future. Research interests of faculty include animal behavior, biogeography, biomechanics, community ecology, ecological and evolutionary modeling, ecosystem ecology, molecular evolution, paleobiology, physiological ecology, population ecology, population and quantitative genetics, and systematics. Ralph N. Adams Bioanalytical Institute The Adams Institute fosters education and research in Bioanalytical Chemistry—the development and application of analytical techniques to characterize cells, drugs in biological systems and biological fluids. Bioanalysis is central to advancements in understanding biological processes. The Adams Institute will develop analytical technologies that increase the effectiveness of biomarkers in whole cell assays for drug discovery, and create new approaches for early detection and diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. Transportation Research Institute The fundamental goal of TRI is to understand contemporary transportation issues, and their social and environmental consequences. Research endeavors cover a broad spectrum of transportation issues including:
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