MWM Teacher Training Workshop   written by: Emma Tevaarwerk

In collaboration with the Department of Defense, MWM held a teacher training workshop December 6th, 2005 at the Country College of Morris. Twelve teachers and three laboratory scientists from the New Jersey area attended the one day conference, in which the Sports Materials and Composites modules were featured. The teachers came from a wide variety of backgrounds, including chemistry, physics, general science, biology, and technology. In addition, administrators from Newark Public Schools also came.

MWM content developers Matthew Hsu and Emma Tevaarwerk led the sessions, which featured inquiry and design principles. Teachers worked through the activities in the composites modules, and quickly became excited about the final design project, in which they were asked to design a fishing pole meeting certain strength and flexibility considerations. At the end of the session, the teachers were given modules of there choice to take with them and use in their classrooms.

Our thanks to Richard Bishop and Ray Pawlicki for organizing the session.