Chemistry Van

Physics Van

MBRS

MBRS RESKUE Tutors

Project PREMAT

Science Fair Central

Chemistry Van Inservice Institute at Chicago State University

Supported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education

The Chemistry Van Program is a collaborative effort between the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago State University, and the University of Illinois-Chicago, collectively known as the Chicago Collaborative for Science Education and Outreach.

The Chemistry Van Project has two components:

• A Summer Teacher In-service Institute. Each summer a two week in-service institute at Chicago State University will focus on training high school chemistry teachers in the delivery of chemistry laboratory experiments which can be accomplished during a 50 minute class period as well as instruction in the operation and use of modern chemical instrumentation.

• The Chemistry Van. Teachers who complete the summer institute will be able to request the services of the Chemistry Van. The Van will deliver to the requesting teacher the materials, supplies and equipment necessary to perform any of the laboratory experiments that the teacher has performed during the summer institute. The Van will be driven by an experienced chemical professional. The driver will be available to assist the school teacher with the set-up and performance of the experiment, if so requested.

Current Chemistry Van In-service Information

Unfortunately, the Chicago Collaborative Program was not funded for 2007 and we will therefore not be able to offer the summer Chemistry and Physics Van in-service institutes. We are currently pursuing funding opportunities for Summer 2008.

Physics Van Inservice Institute at Chicago State University

Supported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education

Description of Program

As part of a project that will foster collaborations between Chicago State University (CSU) and high school physics teachers in the Chicagoland area, we are implementing a physics van program. The goals of the van program are (1) to provide physics teachers in with courses on implementing hands-on inquiry-based teaching using technology and (2) to provide teachers, who have completed this course, with follow-up support through a van service that will bring the laboratory equipment to the teacher's classroom. Physics Van Activities attempt to address common difficulties students have with different physics topics. During the inservice course we will participate in the activities and practice thinking about questions that help students construct an understanding for themselves.

Current Physics Van In-service Information

Unfortunately, the Chicago Collaborative Program was not funded for 2007 and we will therefore not be able to offer the summer Chemistry and Physics Van in-service institutes. We are currently pursuing funding opportunities for Summer 2008. For the latest Physics Van information, application, activities and more, please visit the Physics Van Site.

Contact Information: Please do not hesitate to contact Mel Sabella if you have any questions:
Mel Sabella
Chicago State University
Department of Chemistry and Physics
9501 S. King Drive / SCI 232
Chicago, Il 60628
msabella@csu.edu
Phone: 773-995-2172
Fax: 773-995-3809

MBRS

MBRS RESKUE Tutors

Project PREMAT

Description of Program

The PREMAT program is a summer program for high school students in two categories:

• Rising Senior (high school student finished with Junior year)
• Graduating Senior (student going to college at Chicago State(preferred) or elsewhere)

The program is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health which has given a grant to Chicago State to enourage minority students to pursue science majors in college leading to graduate school and focused on a research career in biomedical research. The PREMAT program is part of this MBRS grant. Other parts of this grant enable students to gain tuition scholarships, financial support to do research and opportunities to give papers on undergraduate research results to scientists. Summer research opportunities at various NIH facilities or working on research at Chicago State are possible. Students can gain tuition scholarships for four years if they maintain an adequate grade point.

The summer program hires students to carry out a group research project in epidemiology,chemistry, physics, and chemistry on the South side of Chicago and prepares the students for college. Graduating Seniors can earn a stipend of up to $1500. The actual value of the stipend is determined by hours worked and the quality of the work. All participants must submit an application to Chicago State and must take all of the entrance examinations. Students who matriculate at CSU will earn a tuition scholarship that can last for four years if their grade point is maintained. There are also opportunities for CSU participants to obtain a job during the academic year involved in science and research. Students must have at least a 17 on the ACT examination to enter Chicago State.

Current Project PREMAT Information

Project PREMAT is part of the MBRS program. Please see the MBRS PREMAT website for the latest information.

Science Fair Central - South

Description of Program

All workshops are for high school and middle/elementary school students, teachers, and parents. University science and math faculty will be present and available to answer individual questions as time allows, and information is available on preparing science fair projects, resources, and project ideas. Student presenters on the first day will mainly be elementary/middle school students while presenters on the second day will be mainly high school students.

Typical format for the first two workshops will include:

• a Video presentation (How to Prepare a Science Fair Project)
• Demonstration of a Project
• CPS Science Fair Information and Protocols
• Students discussing their actual Science Fair Projects from previous years

The third workshop will be unstructured and is meant to provide maximum opportunity for individual discussions between students, parents, and teachers and university science and math faculty and staff.

Current Year Science Fair Central - South Information

Please see the Science Fair Central - South page for more information on this year's schedule and other resources.

Last modified Nov. 8, 2006 Questions or comments about this site? Email the chemistry and physics site publisher.