PRISM & Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials:
2011-2012 Teacher Fellowship Application

Overview: The PRISM program has partnered with Clark Atlanta University’s Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials (CFNM), a National Science Foundation Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology, to offer joint PRISM/CFNM Teacher Fellowships in nanoscience research and problem-based learning curriculum development. PRISM/CFNM Teacher Fellows participate in most components of the PRISM program and in guided research experiences in Clark Atlanta’s nanoscience labs, and ultimately translate the CFNM's nanoscience research into problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum materials.

The PRISM/CFNM Teacher Fellows attend the 2-week PRISM Summer Institute at Emory and work together to begin creating lessons on nanoscience topics. Teachers then spend the following six weeks in Clark Atlanta labs, working on a variety of nanoscience research projects alongside CFNM graduate students and faculty. Weekly seminars provide time to discuss and make presentations on various nanoscience topics including biosensors, nanotubes, nanofibers and the ethical use of nanotechnology. Teachers also complete weekly journals to document their lab experiences and to reflect on: a) their own personal and professional development through the program; b) how they might translate their experiences into meaningful learning experiences for their students; and c) their thoughts/concerns/ideas/hopes relevant to science education, nanoscience research, PBL, student engagement, curriculum development, etc. Teachers and graduate students meet weekly to discuss their experiences and to work together on PBL case development.

How is the PRISM/CFNM Fellowship different from the regular PRISM Fellowship?: PRISM/CFNM Fellows do everything that PRISM Fellows do (see PRISM Teacher Fellowship website), with the following exceptions:

• PRISM/CFNM Fellows attend a 6-week summer research experience.
• PRISM/CFNM Fellows create 4 of the 8 required PBL lessons on nanoscience topics.
• PRISM/CFNM Fellows partner with Clark Atlanta graduate fellows who work with them over the summer and during the school year for 5 hrs/wk (as opposed to 10 hrs/wk for regular PRISM Graduate Fellows).
• PRISM/CFNM Fellows receive an $8000 stipend, paid out in August (50%), December (25%), and May (25%).
• PRISM/CFNM Fellows receive an $800 supply budget to support nanoscience lessons in their classrooms.
• High school chemistry or physics teachers (including former PRISM Teacher Fellows) and community college instructors in chemistry and physics are eligible for CFNM/PRISM Fellowships.

Application Procedure: To apply for a PRISM/CFNM Fellowship, complete Parts A, B, and C of the regular PRISM Teacher Fellowship application with the following changes:

• Part A: Online Survey. Indicate your interest in the PRISM/CFNM Fellowship by checking the appropriate box on page 2 of the survey.
• Part B: Teacher Materials. In your written statement, please indicate that you are applying for the PRISM/CFNM Fellowship and respond to the essay prompts as if they were asking about both CFNM and PRISM. Include a statement about your research experience, and/or your interest in gaining this particular kind of nanoscience research experience. Name your file "YourlastnameCFNM11.doc".
• Part C: Letter of Support. When asking your recommender for a Letter of Support, be sure to inform him/her of the differences bewteen PRISM and the PRISM/CFNM Fellowship. Letters for K-12 teachers should be from their principal; letters from community college instructors should be from their department chair.

Contact: For questions regarding the CFNM application process, or to check on the status of your application, contact Jordan Rose (404-712-9242).