RET Site: Training STEM teachers in alternative (biomass, solar, wind, and hydrogen) energy research through hands on laboratory and computational experiences

教育在可持续社会的能源专业人员的发展中发挥着至关重要的作用。汉普顿路地区是弗吉尼亚州最大的大都市区，人口超过170万，涉及8个城市。可再生能源技术网站的主要目标：培训STEM教师（生物质，太阳能，风能和氢）能源研究通过实验室和计算经验的手，在老自治领大学（ODU），是建立长期的合作伙伴关系之间的老自治领大学（ODU），公立学区，和当地产业在汉普顿道路地区，使干知识在替代能源领域的K-12教室。RET网站的目标将通过在为期7周的暑期课程中对STEM教师进行研究培训以及将教师的研究经验转化为课堂的课程后翻译来实现。STEM教师将通过尖端研究项目参与替代能源的研究经验。然后，RET参与者将把获得的研究经验和知识转化到他们的课堂上，以鼓励学生，特别是那些来自代表性不足的群体的学生，追求STEM学位和职业。RET网站是导师、教师和行业合作伙伴之间的长期网络，最终将有利于K-12学生对STEM职业的看法。此外，研究生将支持K-12课堂活动和社区外展。在三年的时间里，这个RET网站将接待总共30名9-12年级的科学教师，在ODU实验室进行替代能源（生物质，太阳能，风能和氢）领域的研究。通过这个RET计划，STEM教师，特别是那些来自代表性不足的群体的教师，将接受培训，以发展实验和计算研究技能，同时获得替代能源先进科学和技术概念的知识。将组织一个辩论驱动的调查（ADI）研讨会，培训教师通过加强现有课程将可再生能源技术成果转化为K-12 STEM教育。预计这些活动将大大有助于教师鼓励更多学生通过使用实际例子来追求STEM学位和职业。可再生能源教师将接触并促进由教师和行业导师指导的替代能源项目的前沿研究的进展。该项目的预期实际成果是通过训练有素的可再生能源技术教师将替代能源课程引入当地汉普顿地区的高中课堂，并让这些教师参与科学和教育出版物，该奖项反映了国家科学基金会的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

Education plays a vital role in the development of energy professionals for a sustainable society. The Hampton Roads area is the biggest metropolitan region in Virginia, with a population of more than 1.7 million and compromising eight cities. The main goal of the RET Site: Training STEM teachers in alternative (biomass, solar, wind, and hydrogen) energy research through hands on laboratory and computational experiences, at Old Dominion University (ODU), is to establish long-term collaborative partnerships among the Old Dominion University (ODU), public school districts, and local industries in the Hampton Roads area to bring STEM knowledge in the alternative energy areas to K-12 classrooms. The goal of the RET Site will be achieved through research training of STEM teachers in a 7-week summer program and post-program translation of teachers' research experiences into classrooms. STEM teachers will be engaged in hands on research experience in alternative energy through the cutting-edge research projects. The RET participants will then translate the acquired research experiences and knowledge into their classrooms to encourage students, especially those from the underrepresented groups, to pursue STEM degrees and careers. The RET site serves as a long-term network among mentors, teachers, and industrial partners, which will eventually benefit K-12 students' perception of STEM careers. In addition, graduate students will support K-12 classroom activities and community outreaches.Over a three year period, this RET Site will host a total of 30 grade 9-12 science teachers to conduct research in the fields of alternative (biomass, solar, wind, and hydrogen) energy at ODU laboratories during the summer program. Through this RET program, STEM teachers, especially those from underrepresented groups, will be trained to develop both experimental and computational research skills, while gaining knowledge of advanced science and technology concepts in alternative energy. An Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI) workshop will be organized to train teachers to translate RET outcomes into K-12 STEM education through enhancement of the current curricula. It is expected that these activities will significantly assist teachers to encourage more students to pursue STEM degrees and careers by using practical examples. RET teachers will be exposed and contribute to the advances of cutting-edge research on alternative energy projects mentored by both faculty and industry mentors. The expected tangible outcomes of the project are to bring alternative energy curriculum in the local Hampton region high school classrooms through the trained RET teachers and involve those teachers in scientific and educational publications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.