RET in Engineering and Computer Science Site for Sustainable Polymer Engineering Research

该奖项为一项为期三年的标准奖提供资金，以支持南密西西比大学(USM)工程和计算机科学教师研究经验(RET)网站项目，该项目由Sarah E.Morgan博士指导，标题为“可持续聚合物工程研究的RET工程和计算机科学网站”。南密西西比大学提议每年接待10名当地社区大学教师和高中教师，为期三年，与聚合物科学和工程教员一起进行为期六周的夏季研究体验，以进行可持续材料领域的研究。教师将与教师和学生研究人员结对工作，努力应对21世纪工程学的重大挑战。该计划的总体目标是通过在相关聚合物工程研究工作中提供有意义的研究经验，并建立后续活动，以扩大该计划在整个学年的影响，从而在教师、研究人员和当地教师之间建立长期的专业关系。将提供聚合物工程基础知识、高性能团队和科学交流方面的专业发展和培训。拟议的可持续材料工程研究平台提供框架，在工程学教师和教师之间建立长期关系，同时提供尖端研究经验，这些经验很容易被纳入高中和社区大学的科学课程。对能源和碳氢化合物日益增长的需求带来了广泛的问题，例如2010年密西西比湾沿岸发生的英国石油公司深水地平线漏油事件，以及对密西西比州教师和学生产生重大影响的农业聚合物生产和替代能源开发等机遇。拟议的RET将使高中教师和社区大学教师沉浸在三个领域的可持续聚合物工程研究中：(1)提高聚合物太阳能电池的效率，(2)从可再生原料中提取高性能聚合物和复合材料，以及(3)合成材料在海水中的环境影响。拟议的努力是一个变革性的平台，通过将引起教师、学生和家长共鸣的相关研究经验，让公众参与可持续材料工程研究。教师和研究生导师将在学年期间参加课堂活动，以确保RET计划在整个学年的影响。

This award provides funding for a three year standard award to support a Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science Site program at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) entitled, "RET in Engineering and Computer Science Site for Sustainable Polymer Engineering Research", under the direction of Dr. Sarah E. Morgan. The University of Southern Mississippi proposes to host ten local community college instructors and high school teachers per year for three year for a six-week summer research experience with polymer science and engineering faculty members to perform research in the area of sustainable sustainable materials. Teachers will work in pairs with faculty and student researchers in efforts focused on addressing 21st century grand challenges in engineering. The overall objective of the program is to develop long-term professional relationships between faculty researchers and local teachers by providing meaningful research experiences in relevant polymer engineering research efforts and establishing follow-up activities to extend the impact of the program throughout the school year. Professional development and training in fundamentals of polymer engineering, high performance teams, and scientific communication will be provided.The proposed sustainable materials engineering research platform provides the framework to build long-term relationships between engineering faculty and teachers while providing cutting-edge research experiences that are readily incorporated into high school and community college science curricula. The increasing demand for energy and use of hydrocarbons create a wide range of issues, such as the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill of 2010 off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as opportunities, such as production of agriculturally based polymers and alternative energy development, which have high impact on Mississippi teachers and students. The proposed RET will immerse high school teachers and community college faculty in sustainable polymer engineering research in three areas: (1) improved efficiency polymer solar cells, (2) high performance polymers and composites from renewable feedstocks, and (3) environmental impact of synthetic materials in sea water. The proposed effort is a transformative platform for engaging the public in sustainable materials engineering research through relevant research experiences that will resonate with teachers, students and parents. Faculty and graduate student mentors will participate in classroom activities during the school year to ensure the impact of the RET program through the school year.