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

该奖项为一个为期三年的标准奖项提供资金，以支持南密西西比大学（USM）的一个名为“可持续聚合物工程研究的工程和计算机科学研究基地”的教师研究经验（RET）项目，该项目由Sarah E. Morgan博士指导。南密西西比大学（University of Southern Mississippi）提议，在三年的时间里，每年邀请10名当地社区大学讲师和高中教师，与聚合物科学和工程学院的教员一起，进行为期六周的暑期研究，在可持续材料领域进行研究。教师将与教职员工和学生研究人员结对合作，致力于解决21世纪工程领域的重大挑战。该项目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，在整个学年中扩大该项目的影响，从而发展教员研究人员和当地教师之间的长期专业关系。将提供高分子工程基础、高绩效团队和科学交流方面的专业发展和培训。提议的可持续材料工程研究平台为工程学院和教师之间建立长期关系提供了框架，同时提供了前沿的研究经验，这些经验很容易被纳入高中和社区大学的科学课程。不断增长的能源需求和碳氢化合物的使用带来了广泛的问题，比如2010年BP公司在密西西比海湾沿岸的深水地平线石油泄漏事件，同时也带来了机遇，比如农业聚合物的生产和替代能源的开发，这些都对密西西比州的教师和学生产生了很大的影响。拟议的RET将使高中教师和社区大学教师沉浸在可持续聚合物工程研究的三个领域：(1)提高效率的聚合物太阳能电池，(2)可再生原料的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。提议的努力是一个变革性的平台，通过相关的研究经验，让公众参与可持续材料工程研究，这将与教师、学生和家长产生共鸣。教师和研究生导师将在学年期间参加课堂活动，以确保整个学年的RET计划的影响。

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.