Past Programs
Summer Courses
PHYS 501 Contemporary Physics for Teachers
is a two-credit lecture and laboratory course for high school physics teachers. Lectures will be given by Dr. Monica Plisch and other Cornell faculty on topics including: atomic-scale imaging, the Standard Model, integrated circuits, x-ray diffraction of biomolecules, and light emitting diodes. Hands-on activities developed by Cornell scientists working with teachers will be presented by teachers. Lab activities include: building a water analogy to electric circuits, observing subatomic particles with a cloud chamber, mapping a hidden “molecule,” and converting electrical energy to light with LEDs. The course has a theme of science inquiry and activities are tied to the NYS Physics Core Curriculum where possible.
PHYS 502 Topics in Mechanics and Waves
is a one-credit lecture and laboratory course for high school physics teachers. Lectures will be given by Dr. Monica Plisch and other Cornell faculty on modern research involving principles of mechanics and waves. Hands-on activities developed by Cornell scientists working with teachers will be presented by teachers. Lab activities may include: the physics of rock climbing, apple bounce lab, and physics of communication. The course has a theme of science inquiry and activities are tied to the NYS Physics Core Curriculum where possible.
Selection Criteria
Applicants must currently teach at least one period of high school physics per day or give workshops for physics teachers on an on-going basis. Applicants with tenure are preferred.
Tuition, Stipend, and Housing
Tuition and fees for both courses are paid by CIPT. Participants are housed in one of Cornell’s residence halls and receive a stipend of $300 per week, parking, all weekday breakfasts, and some lunches and dinners.
Application Procedures
Please complete the entire application form in this brochure or fill out the application on the web (www.cns.cornell.edu/cipt). You may apply for one or both courses. In addition to your completed application, the following materials must be submitted by March 1, 2005:
- A statement of purpose explaining your reasons for interest in the program and ways in which the experience will benefit your students.
- Your resume and a list of conferences, workshops, and courses attended in the past three years.
- Two letters of recommendation from a professional colleague or school administrator. In addition, you may submit an optional recommendation letter from a student.
- The profile sheet from the high school where you are employed, or a description of your school that includes size, grade levels taught, students’ socioeconomic status, type of locality (urban, suburban, rural), and percentage of students going on to college.
All materials must be mailed to:
Tali Blank
Center for Nanoscale Systems,
Cornell University, 632
Clark Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
Telephone: (607) 255-9434
E-mail: cipt_contact@cornell.edu
Application deadline: March 1, 2005
Notification of acceptance: April 1, 2005
For more information about CIPT, contact:
Dr. Monica Plisch, Cornell University
632 Clark Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
Telephone: (607) 255-2102
E-mail: mjp11@cornell.edu
Web: www.cns.cornell.edu/cipt
