Polytechnic University’s SUMMIT and New York State Education Department Working to Empower Local High School Science Teachers

In SUMMIT project, 20 teachers from Regions 4, 6, and 8 of New York City (NYC) school system have been recruited to receive training and mentoring in hands-on engineering design in a four-week summer workshop at Polytechnic University. The project will enhance teachers' technical competency through professional development in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Project activities, including lectures, laboratory practice, prototype engineering design, teamwork, and interactions with engineering professionals, will orient teachers to the field of engineering. Moreover, teachers will acquire confidence and capability to enhance the education of their students by embracing technology and by integrating hands-on mechatronics projects in classrooms, laboratories, science research, and new courses. The proposed program is designed to satisfy Standard 5 in the New York State (NYS) Learning Standards in Mathematics, Science, and Technology.

What:

Come watch robotic predators and prey recreate the cycle of life and a mechatronics device illustrate the sodium-potassium cellular pump as local middle and high school teachers test their latest engineered teaching tools. Polytechnic University, a leader in technological education and research, has launched an innovative summer education program, SUMMIT, at their Brooklyn campus. With funding by the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) “Engineers of the Future” program, New York City middle and high school teachers are learning advanced concepts in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The University’s program will enhance the teacher’s technical competency where they will bring this newfound knowledge back to the classroom in September.

Who:

Dr. Vikram Kapila, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic University, is overseeing 20 high school teachers from 12 schools in Brooklyn and Queens who were selected for the 2007 SUMMIT research program.

Where:

Polytechnic University
Six MetroTech Center
Downtown Brooklyn at Jay Street

When:

Please schedule a visit to view the teacher’s and their projects in action: Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 10
10 a.m. or 2 p.m.