SuperNet is an educational network connecting scientists and teachers with a shared purpose of getting students interested in and excited about science. Its goal is to establish new learning communities of scientists, teachers and students who together explore the emergent universe emergent behavior in matter and society through inquiry-based, hands-on activities.
Two teachers participating in Workshop III use the current probe interface to investigate Ohm's Law.
Mentoring & Outreach
It all starts with mentoring. Teachers work alongside leading scientists, with ongoing advice and support throughout the year. Together, they consider ways of communicating to students cutting-edge advances in experimental and theoretical research by investigating major themes and concepts in the classroom. This time-tested approach to education provides continuing professional teacher development while grooming the next generation of scientists.
Workshops
As part of this outreach effort, SuperNet-affiliated scientists at the Magnet Lab and other locations give occasional workshops to teachers exploring facets of the emergent universe. Teachers attending these workshops are eligible for continuing education credits.
Workshop III
Held June 16-20, 2008, at the Mag Lab, this workshop involved 10 teachers from three school districts. Participants received LabPro data acquisition probeware and learned how to begin to integrate this technology into their classes. Additional activites included building a mock particle detector, using liquid nitrogen to carry out the Meissner Effect demonstration of superconductivity, and an introduction to the concept of emergent phenomena. Scientist talks included ion cyclotron resonance, fundamentals of detectors, molecular magnets and the new physics in the 21st Century.
- Let's Bring Our Research Into Schools: Outreach Activities in France, Julian Bobroff, LPS, Orsay, France (PowerPoint, 8.6 MB)
- Single-Molecule Magnets and High-Field Electron Magnetic Resonance, Naresh Dalal, Mag Lab (PowerPoint, 4.0 MB)
- Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance
Mass Spectrometry, Chris Hendrickson, Mag Lab (PowerPoint, 4.9 MB)
Workshop II
Held May 1, 2007, at the Mag Lab, this workshop drew nine teachers from seven area middle schools and high schools. Presentations made (below) are suitable for use in high school classrooms or as a teacher resource on magnets, magnetism, magnet research and superconductivity.
Workshop I
Held January 30, 2007, at the Mag Lab, the workshop attracted nine teachers from seven area schools. They saw a presentation of materials they could use to teach the science of low temperatures and superconducting materials in their classrooms. Facilitated by lead teacher Brian McClain, teachers worked on inquiry lessons they could easily transfer to their classrooms. Workshops included:
“”Quote/Unquote
Here's what some of our workshop participants have said about their experiences:
"The lecturers did an amazing job of explaining everything in simple terms. I think the material can be adapted to suit my middle school students as well [as high school students]."
— Mary Beth Patrick, middle school science department
The hands-on labs were great! Thank you for the opportunities you and the Mag Lab continue to provide us."
— Debra Willis, high school physics teacher
SuperNet scientists and teachers
brainstorm lesson ideas.
Materials Development
SuperNet teachers create materials for teaching high school students through participation in inquiry-oriented investigations and data analysis. The subjects of these investigations will come initially from superconductivity, electricity and magnetism, but will later encompass more extended sets of topics within condensed matter physics. The long term goal is to extend the range to a broad set of topics relating to emergent behavior in matter and society.
Modules for Teachers
A main focus of SuperNet is the development of modules created through collaboration among faculty at partners institutions, teachers and students. Current and planned modules include:
- Superconductivity Treasure Hunt
- Meissner effect demonstration
- Thermal energy, temperature, and heat transfer
- Phase transitions: new phenomena at each temperature scale
- Structure: From carbon to carbon nanotubes
- Conductivity of materials: metals, insulators, superconductors
- Quantum mechanics: 2 slit experiments to qubits; tunneling
SuperNet is an educational outreach project of the Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter (ICAM) and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). The Magnet Lab is a participating institution.
Other ongoing ICAM outreach projects:
Other ongoing Fermilab projects:
For more information or to start a SuperNet center at your university or lab, contact Vladimir Dobrosavljevic at (850) 644-5693, or e-mail vlad@magnet.fsu.edu.
