Professional Development
Teachers Become Researchers in Siemens STEM Program
The Siemens Foundation has announced the 20 teachers from throughout the United States who it has selected to participate in the Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs) program. The two-week professional development course allows participants work in small groups, in collaboration with scientists from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to conduct practical research related to current scientific issues.
Co-sponsored by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), Discovery Education, and the College Board, STARs is intended to expose teachers directly to cutting-edge, real-world research, providing them with experiences they can bring with them back to the classroom in order to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
"We are thrilled to give some of the best teachers in the country the opportunity to work at the largest, most prestigious laboratory in the nation," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "Through the STARs program, these 20 teachers will be able to apply real-life research experience to their work in the classroom and inspire students to pursue further education and careers in the scientific field."
The teachers chosen to participant in the program are:
- Miriam Adams, Hanceville, AL, Hanceville Middle School
- Anthony Birkmeier, Harrison Township, MI, L'Anse Creuse High School
- Terrence Bissoondial, Hewlett, NY, George W. Hewlett High School
- Grace Blasingame, Pasadena, TX, Sam Rayburn High School
- Brooke Fischels, Ottumwa, IA, Ottumwa High School
- Andrew Harshman, Sarasota, FL, Sarasota High School
- James Harvey, Erie, PA, Collegiate Academy
- Tamora Jackson, Memphis, TN, Bellevue Middle School
- Peter Langley, Portland, OR, Oregon Episcopal School
- Stacey Militello, Shrewsbury, MA, Oak Middle School
- Kendall Morton, Glenelg, MD, Glenelg High School
- Darryl Richards, Baltimore, MD, New Era Academy High School
- A.J. Scheetz, Westport, CT, Staples High School
- Karen Shepherd, Plano, TX, Plano Senior High School
- Andrea Stawiery, Addison, IL, Addison Trail High School
- Michelle Swenson, Long Lake, MN, Orono High School
- Margaret Washburn, Danville, VA, George Washington High School
- Andrea White, Port Orange, FL, Spruce Creek High School
- George Williamson, Rocky Mount, NC, Rocky Mount Preparatory
- Theresa Wilson, Wolcott, IN, Tri-County Middle-Senior High School
Participants will each also receive a $500 mini-grant from the foundation to purchase supplies in order to demonstrate, replicate, and/or continue their research with their students.
About the Author
Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.