This five year project, sponsored by Grand Valley State University, provides support each year for 20 teacher interns to work in local businesses and industry in science and technology positions. Based upon this experience the teachers are expected to design mathematics and science activities for their students which reflect the themes of (1) relevant science, mathematics and technology, (2) problem solving, (3) teamwork, (4) communication and (5) motivation and quality. The teacher interns will also team up with administrators from their school system to explore these same five themes in regular industry training sessions at industry sites. Drawing upon this experience the teacher/administrator teams will design appropriate inservice activities for other educators in their own school. The teachers are expected to carryout outreach activities and recruit their colleagues to the project. These workshops will be run jointly by teacher interns and their industry partners and will introduce educators to the world of industry through the eyes of industrial science and math professionals and the experience of teachers who have participated in summer internships. NSF funds are being matched by funds from the University, local schools and local business and industry. The amount of matching funds exceeds 124% of the NSF grant.
