SHPE - Winter 2008 - (Page 12) LETTER TO THE EDITOR Editor: As a doctoral candidate in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Texas, El Paso, I perform research in solar cells. I was so nervous when I applied to the GK-12 Fellowship, especially when I was asked how I would explain my research to a sixth grader. The theme of my research is nano-patterned polycrystalline CdTe solar cells. Sounds easy, right? This is how I replied: “Imagine that you are a prisoner (electron). When light shines on you, your energy increases and you are freed and have to find your partner (a positive charge). To do so, you have to go through a rough road (load) as quick as you can (electrons flowing in an electrical circuit). This process represents the creation and circulation of electrons in a circuit powered by a photovoltaic source.” Three weeks later, I was informed that I had been selected for the program, The GK-12 Fellowship is a partnership between NSF and UTEP where in 10 graduate students, specializing in different STEM fields, are selected to deliver hands-on, inquiry based environmental activities to local sixth, seventh and eighth graders and excite their interest in STEM careers. Toward the end of the summer, the 10 teachers and 10 fellows together with principal investigators Dr. Miller, Dr. Hagedorn, Dr. Johnson and J. Kennedy spent a week at UTEP’s research facility at Indio Ranch and performed experiments related to the desert environment found along the U.S./Mexico boarder. I remember well one experiment: observing the behavior of ants in the scorching summer sun. Of course their behavior was smart enough – they weren’t there! After a week of bonding with our teachers, the following week we learned exciting and useful teaching strategies, this time in an air-conditioned room. Once classes started, it was a different story. About 24 kids per period looked at me saying, “Who is that guy? Why do we have two teachers?” The formal introduction from the teacher and my presentation weren’t enough. After one month the kids finally knew that I was the classroom scientist and that my task was to bring experiments down to earth, make the laboratories more hands on and inquiry-based and help the teacher explain hard concepts. Not only does the NSF GK-12/ UTEP partnership prepare current graduate students to be future professors, but it also trains them to explain science to undergraduate students in a simple and engaging way. As a MAES/SHPE member born in the United States and raised in Mexico, I see the need for Hispanic role models and I feel proud to represent and serve mi pueblo through this incredible fellowship opportunity. For more information about the program, visit http://science.utep.edu/gk12/. Jose Cruz-Campa 2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS February February 6-7 Industrial PartnerSHPE Council Meeting Phoenix, Arizona Contact: Carmen Peralta, Corporate Affairs Manager Phone: (323) 725-3970 x107 E-mail: Carmen.Peralta@ shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org March 28 - 30 Region IV Leadership Development Conference University of Connecticut Contact: Kevin Arpin Phone: (203) 804-9273 E-mail: kevin.arpin@ uconn.edu Website: http://shpe.uconn. edu/rldc April 4-5 Region III Leadership Development Conference University of New Mexico Contact: Samantha Kilroy Phone: (505) 269-3904 E-mail: vollie_chic_13@ yahoo.com May Dates to be determined Industrial PartnerSHPE Council Meeting Pleasanton, California Contact: Carmen Peralta, Corporate Affairs Manager Phone: (323) 725-3970 x107 E-mail: Carmen.Peralta@ shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org Phone: (323) 725-3970 x107 E-mail: Carmen.Peralta@ shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org August 6-9 National Institute for Leadership Advancement Fort Worth, Texas American Airlines Training and Conference Center Contact: Alli Sadighpour, Events Coordinator Phone: (323) 725-3970 x114 E-mail: Alli.Sadighpour@ shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org April 11-13 National Board of Directors Meeting Detroit, Michigan Contact: Dora Abreu, National Secretary Phone: (323) 725-3970 E-mail: Dora.Abreu@shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org April April 3-5 Region V Leadership Development Conference University of Texas at El Paso Contact: Juanita Lopez Phone: (915) 204-4257 E-mail: jelopez2@ miners.utep.edu February 8-10 National Board of Directors Meeting Phoenix, Arizona Contact: Dora Abreu, National Secretary Phone: (323) 725-3970 E-mail: Dora.Abreu@shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org June June 6-8 National Board of Directors Meeting Lincoln, Nebraska Contact: Dora Abreu, National Secretary Phone: (323) 725-3970 E-mail: Dora.Abreu@shpe.org Website: www.shpe.org April 18-20 Region I Leadership Development Conference Sacramento State University Contact: Ariana Raymundo Phone: (916) 202-2751 E-mail: Arianna.Flores@ gmail.com Website: http://gaia.ecs.csus. edu/~clacse/ *For information on RLDC II, contact your regional vice president or student representative. April 3-6 March* March 27-30 Region VII Leadership Development Conference University of South Florida Contact: Manuel Bravo Phone: (813) 380-3551 E-mail: malotico10000@ hotmail.com Region VI Leadership Development Conference University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Contact: Norberto Rivera Phone: (773) 405-8395 E-mail: nrivera2@uiuc.edu Website: www.shpe-uiuc.org SHPE Conference Phoenix, Arizona August August 5-6 Industrial PartnerSHPE Council Meeting Fort Worth, Texas Contact: Carmen Peralta, Corporate Affairs Manager November 12-15 SHPE Contact: (323) 725-3970 AHETEMS Contact: (817) 272-1116 Website: www.shpe.org 12 SHPE R Winter 2008 http://science.utep.edu/gk12/ http://www.shpe.org http://shpe.uconn.edu/rldc http://shpe.uconn.edu/rldc http://www.shpe.org http://www.shpe.org http://www.shpe.org http://www.shpe.org http://www.shpe.org http://www.shpe.org http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~clacse/ http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~clacse/ http://www.shpe-uiuc.org http://www.shpe.org
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