PHOTON PBL Project

Opportunities for Educators

Are you looking for ways to prepare your students to work with 21st century technologies?  Do they want to learn about lasers, LEDs, fiber optics, and solve real-world problems?  If so, the New England Board of Higher education (NEBHE) is pleased to invite you to join the PHOTON PBL project.

The PHOTON PBL Project, funded by the Advanced Technological Education program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), is dedicated to preparing teachers to improve STEM education in high schools and colleges. The primary focus is on lasers and photonics technology as a way to incorporate applied technical skills in science and technology curricula.

The PHOTON PBL project is specifically focused on developing Problem Based Learning (PBL) materials for teachers. Towards this end we are developing eight interdisciplinary laser and photonics-based multi-media Challenges that can be incorporated into existing science and technology curricula.
These Challenges use student-centered teaching methods, and are designed to be adaptable for high school through college-level courses.

A secondary focus is on developing educational pathways for students as they transition from high school to college by helping schools develop partnerships between their local high schools and community colleges and/or four-year colleges.

The schedule for the 2008-2009 academic year begins with a professional development workshop, Sunday July 27 through Friday August 1st, 2008, held at Boston University's Photonics Center. During this workshop, participants will learn the pedagogy behind the PBL instructional method, and how to adapt and implement the Challenges. After the workshop, each educator will field-test two Challenges and provide feedback to the project. The grant will cover all travel and workshop expenses, and a $500 stipend is paid upon completion of each of the two field-tested Challenges ($1,000 maximum).

If you are interested in joining this project, you need to find at least one partner in a nearby institution at a different educational level. For example, a high school teacher could partner with a local community or four-year college faculty member. All partners will attend the workshop together. The goal is that after the workshop you and your fellow educators will work to create synergy implementing laser and photonics education in your community, thus helping to raise the overall level of science education in your area.

For more information about the PHOTON PBL project please email fhanes@nebhe.org or call at 617.357.9620 x129. Please visit the PHOTON Project website to download the application and for workshop information. Please email your application to Fenna Hanes at fhanes@nebhe.org or fax to 617-338-1577. Your partner institution needs to send in its own application form. Also attached is information regarding travel, housing and meals.

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