The Use of Science and Technology Research Centers as Magnets to Improve Precollege Science and Technology Education

该项目将利用俄亥俄州的托马斯·爱迪生科技中心作为天然磁铁，改善7-12年级的科学与技术教育。它将(1)促进学生在生物技术、聚合物和制造科学领域的研究项目的发展；(2)为科学和数学教师提供在前沿技术领域的在职教育机会；(3)促进师生参与科学技术研究中心提供的教育机会；(4)聘请在尖端技术领域工作的科学家和工程师作为科学和数学课堂上的榜样和主题专家；及(5)邀请教师在尖端技术领域进行暑期实习。俄亥俄州的托马斯·爱迪生伙伴计划在一定程度上得到了大学和工业的支持，该计划承诺为俄亥俄州的九个中心的发展提供数百万美元的州资金。这些中心专注于生物技术、聚合物、焊接工程、制造科学、材料科学和信息技术的研究。该计划将使7-12年级的学生和教育工作者能够利用现有的和正在发展中的技术研究中心，并与私营部门的执业工程师和科学家更密切地咨询和分享知识。计划开展五项具体活动：(1)出版3本科学项目工作簿；(2)举办6个在职讲习班；(3)出版5个活动日历；(4)制定一项访问学者计划，影响140,000名学生；(5)建立14个教师实习岗位。该伙伴关系由五类成员组成：(1)俄亥俄州100多所当地学校；(2)公立和私立学校董事会协会；(3)贸易和专业协会，如俄亥俄州化学理事会；(4)爱迪生技术中心；(5)公司和机构，如巴特尔纪念研究所、孟山都公司、俄亥俄爱迪生、利伯特公司、伍斯特学院和辛辛那提大学。

This project will use Ohio's Thomas Edison science & technology centers as natural magnets to improve science & technology education in grades 7-12. It will (1) stimulate development of student research projects in biotechnology, polymers, and manufacturing sciences; (2) provide opportunities for in-service education of science and mathematics teachers in areas of leading edge technologies; (3) promote participation of teachers and students in educational opportunities provided by science and technology research centers; (4) engage scientists and engineers working in areas of leading edge technologies as role models and subject matter specialists in science and mathematics classrooms; and (5) engage teachers in summer internships in areas of leading edge technologies. Matched in part by university and industrial support, Ohio's Thomas Edison Partnership Program has committed millions of state dollars to the development of nine centers in Ohio. These centers are focused on research in biotechnology, polymers, welding engineering, manufacturing sciences, materials science, and information technologies. This program will enable students and educators in grades 7-12 to take advantage of existing and developing technology research centers and to consult and share knowledge more closely with practicing engineers and scientists in the private sector. Five specific activities are planned: (1) to publish three science project workbooks, (2) to conduct six in-service workshops; (3) to publish five calendars of events; (4) to develop a visiting scholars program affecting 140,000 students; and (5) to establish fourteen teacher internships. The partnership consists of five kinds of members: (1) more than 100 local schools in Ohio; (2) public and private school board associations; (3) trade and professional association such as the Ohio Chemical Council; (4) Edison Technology Centers; and (5) corporations and institutions such as Battelle Memorial Institute, Monsanto Company, Ohio Edison, Liebert Company, The College of Wooster, and the University of Cincinnati.