Livermore lab hosts school for teachers

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 12, 2006 | by Kristofer Noceda, STAFF WRITER

LIVERMORE -- More than 130 science teachers from around the country will spend the next few weeks at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

No, it's not a meeting of the science minds.

Instead, teachers will spend days at the Teacher Research Academy learning new scientific methods to take back into their classrooms and hopefully inspire students to pursue careers in science.

"Three years ago there were about 14,000 science and technology jobs in California and most of the jobs were taken by people out of state -- and insome cases out of country," said Stan Hitomi, program director.

"One of our feelings is to get away from the standards-driven and textbook ways of learning and get kids excited about science."

In one of the workshops held at the lab's Edward Teller Education Center, teachers performed extractions of DNA from their own cheek cells.

"These are things students see on TV and I'll be able to take that into the classroom and create meaningful experiences for them," teacher Mike Steinert said.

Steinert is a 10-year science teacher at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan.

The prospect of bringing back new research methods also excites Janet Hills, a teacher from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto.

"Aside from the high-performing students, my kids really don't get a chance to do these type of things," she said. "The program allows us to bring these practices to all of our students."

Teachers not only will bring new learning techniques to students, but also high-tech hardware as each teacher is given a science kit.

"Students know when things are made for the Little League. If they're using what the pros use it can spark their interest," Hitomi said.

The academy -- a joint effort by the lab and the University of California, Davis -- is in its fourth year and is offered to middle school, high school and college educators on a first-come basis. About 27 teachers from Livermore, Manteca, Ripon and Tracy are enrolled in the academy.

Three different themed workshops are offered in astrophysics, biotechnology and biophontonics. Workshops -- which lasts three to five days -- also are being held in Davis, Fresno and Stockton.

Attendees have the opportunity to go further into the research as each theme includes three levels of workshops. Teachers aren't required to take all three levels as they can continue their progress the following year.

An internship is also available for teachers wishing to go beyond the level three workshops. About 10 teachers have received internships to work inside a research lab.

Next year the program also plans to add an energy and environment theme along with preparing a curriculum for elementary teachers.

Kristofer Noceda can be reached at (925) 416-4808 or at knoceda@trivalleyherald.com.