New Resources and Opportunities for Teachers

As part of its ongoing education outreach mission, the University of Arkansas Microelectronics-Photonics (MicroEP) graduate program has appointed Sarah Faitak as its K-12 Education Outreach director. This position was created as a part of the Center for Semiconductor Physics In Nanostructures, (C-SPIN). The center, funded by a $4.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, combines the knowledge of physics, chemistry, engineering and other sciences to develop nanostructures, or sub-microscopic structures that are assembled atom by atom. Nanostructure research develops smaller and faster components for computers and other technical equipment. "Our hope is to stimulate students throughout Arkansas to consider careers in science, math and engineering." Ms. Faitak said.

This past summer the program sponsored 3 middle school teachers who actively participated in a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program on campus. James Miller, 5^th grade teacher at Lynch Middle School in Farmington, Melissa Miller, 6^th grade teacher at Holt Middle School in Fayetteville, and June Claunch, teacher at Paris Middle School, participated in research on optics communication and holograms. The Millers and Ms. Claunch created websites that tell about their projects and the science behind them. In these sites the teachers have linked to several resources for interactive lessons and inexpensive equipment and supplies. To learn more about their experience and about the Education Outreach Program, visit the microEP website at http://www.uark.edu/depts/microep.

In addition to the RET program, a teacher workshop, "Teaching Science through Inventing Toys" was held on campus this past summer. The workshop, presented by nationally known inventor and teacher, Ed Sobey, provided teachers with inexpensive experiments that teach children how to build, assess and improve upon common toys. Teachers themselves invented toys, then addressed questions like: "What would make my car go farther?" or "What would make my top spin longer?" Using similar techniques in the classroom helps to motivate students to find out the answers and interest them in the science behind the inventions.

This fall Ms. Faitak will support efforts to involve additional schools in B.E.S.T. competitions. B.E.S.T., which stands for Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology, is an extra-curricular activity that encourages students to work together as a team to build and promote a robot for competition in a local match. The robots are to be designed for a specific purpose, which is not released until six weeks before the competition. The students must design, create test and improve their robots within the time frame, using only specified materials. The concept simulates an industry environment where a client requests that a manufacturer design an item under a tight budget and time frame.

B.E.S.T. competitions began in Sherman, Texas in 1993, sponsored by Texas Instruments as a means of creating interest in science and engineering in high school students. A local hub was created in Northwest Arkansas in 1998 and there are currently over 20 hubs and 400 teams in the U.S. Plans are underway to develop a regional hub in Northwest Arkansas, expanding the number of local teams able to participate in final competitions.

As the K-12 Education Outreach Program develops, these and many other resources will be made available to students, teachers and schools to enhance science education throughout the state. For more information, or if you have ideas you would like to share, you may reach Ms. Faitak at 501-575-3671 or sfaitak@uark.edu

Back to Fall 2001 High School Newsletter

Last Updated: September 30, 2001
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