Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico
Middle and High School Science Teachers

Since 1949, Sandia National Laboratories has developed science-based technologies that support our national security. Today, Americans depend on Sandia's technology solutions to solve national and global threats to peace and freedom. Sandia's mission is to meet national needs in four key areas: a) Nuclear Weapons, b) Energy, Resources and Nonproliferation, c) Defense Systems and Assessments, and d) Homeland Security and Defense. Our Advanced Materials Laboratory, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is offering middle and high school science teachers an opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art research.

The Advanced Materials Laboratory at Sandia National Laboratories specializes in the synthesis and characterization of new ceramic and glass materials, improving the processing methods for fabricating these materials, and evaluating their physical, optical, and electronic properties and reliability. This is achieved by combining chemistry, biology, and materials processes to develop an understanding of the physical phenomena responsible for an observed effect. The main technology thrusts are powder processing methods, electronic and optical materials development and integration, failure analysis and testing, rapid component prototyping, reactive composite processing, ceramic joining, glass technology support, 3D biological lithography, bio/inorganic interface manipulation, and ceramic packaging. Energy applications include lithium ion batteries, photovoltaics, catalytst for CO 2 sequestration and conversion, and transportation fuels. Applicants should have an interest in chemistry, biology, materials science, and/or physics.

Teachers may be assigned to various research projects depending on currently funded research opportunities, subject/content interest, and required skills. Teachers will have the opportunity to work with Sandia researchers, as well as postdocs, graduate, undergraduate, and high school student interns - creating a stimulating and unique research environment and developing a network of science professionals. Teachers will have the opportunity to form a teacher professional learning community with other ACTS participants. With the assistance of a Master Teacher, they will have the opportunity to share pedagogical skills, determine how to utilize the research experience in the classroom, and how to effectively utilize the ACTS experiences to improve science education beyond the classroom.