Most summer science camps focus on either students or teachers.
The University of Oklahoma Summer Engineering Academy focuses on both. And they're getting some recognition for it.
The National Science Foundation wants to feature the program on its Web site, said Lori Johnson, public relations director for OU's K20 Center, which hosts the academy with the College of Engineering.
"It's a unique program, in that most programs if they work with teachers they only work with teachers," said Tim Laubach, the academy's director. This program brings teachers and students together, he said.
Monday through Wednesday, middle school and high school math and science teachers from around the region participated in the academy. They were taught about research principles by OU graduate students and participated in science experiments to illustrate the themes.
Those 10 teachers will turn around and instruct high schoolers at the academy next week.
"It's nice to be able to teach it soon after," said Brock VanCleave, a high school chemistry teacher in Chickasha. "I think that way we'll be able to remember it."
He said this method will help him remember what he's learned, which will help him as he brings it back to his students in the fall.
"It's something that we'll be able to take back to our students," VanCleave said.
High schoolers Monday through Wednesday of next week will learn the same things the teachers have been taught this week.
Monday, the group of teachers learned about water quality and experimented with water filters. Tuesday, the group learned about wind energy, making their own anemometers to measure wind speed. Wednesday, they learned about tissue engineering and experimented with fish proteins.
The activities and lessons were developed by graduate students from STEM majors (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as part of a program called Engineering in Practice, funded by the National Science Foundation. The academy this week and next also was funded by the NSF, so there is no cost to the students or teachers.
Two high school teachers from Thailand also are participating in the academy as a result of a partnership with a university in Hat Hai, Thailand.
Surawut Saengmanee said he didn't usually use experiments to teach his students, he just told them things. He said he wants to change that and use experiences to teach.
"I think when I come back to my school I want to make a recycle program" for his students, he said.
Saengmanee said he learned a lot about wind energy Tuesday.
"I think the example of the wind turbine actually I can use," he said.
He and the other teachers made instruments to measure the wind out of paper cups. They then tested the wind with those and wind turbines at ground level and also on the roof of the National Weather Center.
"There's a big difference between wind at ground level and way up high," said Chris Dalton, one of the graduate student fellows leading the academy. That's why wind turbines are placed on high poles, he said.
"So we're just verifying that," Dalton said.
Julianna Parker Jones 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com
Local news
Engineering Academy instructs both teachers and students
- Local news
-
-
Special zoning requested
The Norman Planning Commission meets Thursday and will consider special zoning for Joy’s Palace and a preliminary plat for the Fountain View North addition....
-
Norman looks at transportation package to fix traffic, flooding issues
The Robinson Street Underpass Project currently under way from Flood Avenue to Stubbeman Avenue is one project approved by Norman voters in the 2005 Bond Election. By securing funding with the bond, city staff was able to qualify for ...
-
Lexington city manager resigns
Lexington City Manager Jason Orr resigned in the city’s special council meeting Monday night, which was scheduled to discuss his employment in light of a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse....
-
Norman North student is finalist in statewide contest
Norman North High School senior Joseph D’Amato is one of four finalists in the high school category for the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s End Litter video contest....
-
Services Friday for longtime car dealer Tommy Ferguson
Friends and family will gather Friday to remember longtime local automobile dealer Tommy Ferguson, 72. He died Monday after a lengthy illness....
-
Senate hopefuls reach out to county Republicans
Four men seeking the Republican nomination in Cleveland County’s Senate District 15 seat pledged Tuesday to cut taxes, eliminate unnecessary government services and open their personal tax returns....
-
Police chief: Investigation of official ‘a bad deal all around’
Police Chief Deana Allen has worked in Lexington for 18 years, and she likes it because it’s been calm, quiet and peaceful — at least until recently....
-
Technology, art combine
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma invites the public to a live video chat with artist Kiki Smith at 4 p.m. Thursday....
-
Norman robot teams invade competition
Two Norman area robotic teams have excelled in respective competitions, with the Sooner Norman Advanced Robotics Collaboration taking top honors and a First Lego League team, the OzBots, advancing to compete at a World Festival in April....
-
Panel kills bill to end exemption
A bill to end Oklahoma’s sales tax exemption for newspapers and magazines has been defeated in a Senate committee....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Special zoning requested
