Programs - STAR Information and Application

CESaME - STAR Pprogram

STAR is a summer research internship for aspiring and early career science and math teachers. The program is offered by the California State University in partnership with the US Department of Energy national research laboratories, NASA, federal agencies, and private research organizations. Over the past 3 summers STAR has offered 85 placements at nine research sites in California, and is planning a national expansion to seven additional sites across the United States in 2010.


2010 Program Dates: June 14 - August 7, 2010

Applications available December 1, 2009



Open House Opportunities at LLNL and JPL

If you are interested in STAR and would like to learn more, consider attending one of two Open House opportunities available over the coming months. Travel assistance may be available at some CSU campus for CSU students. (Contact your MSTI Director, or email us to find out more.)

Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - RSVP to cesame by Wed, Nov 11th
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory - RSVP to cesame by Wed, Jan 12th

Open House flyer (PDF)

STAR Program Information

Who: STAR applicants must fit one of the following affiliation qualifications: 1) CSU undergraduate, credential or graduate student in a science, engineering or mathematics field of study with an interest in pursuing a middle or high school science teaching career, 2) a Noyce Scholar from any institution in California at the undergraduate, credential or graduate level in a science, engineering or mathematics field of study, or 3) a STAR Fellow alum who is in the first three years of their teaching career. All applicants must have an interest in teaching science or mathematics at the middle or high school level.

What: An eight-week summer research internship and science education program at a Department of Energy or NASA laboratory for aspiring or early career teachers. STAR Fellows will receive a $4,000 stipend for their participation in the summer research experience. Housing stipends for participants who need to relocate for the summer may also be provided by the STAR program. For more information about the types of research opportunities available at each lab site, download the 2009 STAR Program Abstract Book.

When: June 14 - August 7, 2010. (Note: a full eight week commitment is required)

Where: Several research sites in California:

Why: STAR Fellows will be able to better connect the doing of science to the teaching of science by:

  1. Experiencing cutting edge research at a federal laboratory or research center in a paid summer research internship, with the possibility of returning in subsequent summers
  2. Learning more about what it means to be a 6-12th grade science teacher
  3. Getting to know other teacher-scientists and participate in a larger community of science teachers
  4. Becoming part of the larger scientific community and develop relationships with research scientists at federal laboratories and research centers to help in your career development and teaching activities.

CESaME - STAR Pprogram

Selection Criteria:

Students will be selected from CSU campuses and Noyce programs using the following criteria:

  • Undergraduate major (primarily physics, chemistry, biochemistry, geosciences, biology, engineering and mathematics).
  • Interest in and commitment to becoming a science teacher.
  • GPA (minimum of 3.0 required).
  • Faculty letter of support and references.
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien status (depending on research site).
  • Placement in a research laboratory at one of the program sites.

STAR Intern Expectations:

  1. Participate in the full eight-week summer research internship to conduct scientific research at a federal laboratory or research center.
  2. Prepare and present a research poster describing summer research at the end of the program.
  3. Engage in weekly seminars and workshops focused on science teaching.
  4. Participate in Opening and Closing Conferences on the first and last Saturdays of the program.
  5. Participate in teacher-scientist community building activities (in person and online) during and after program participation.
  6. Participate in STAR Program evaluation activities, during and after program participation.

Overall Goals of the STAR program:

  1. Attract undergraduate science majors to teaching careers by providing them with professional identities as scientists as well as educators
  2. Allow future science teachers to gain first-hand experience within applied research settings
  3. Cultivate increased interest and prestige in the science teaching profession to address the severe shortage of science teachers in California.
  4. Anchor pre-service teachers in a community of scientific practice, they will come to better understand what it means to be a scientist and a teacher of science.
  5. Foster inquiry-based science teaching and learning strategies and increase science interest and learning among K-12 students
  6. Reduce science teacher attrition
  7. Open the door to expanded outreach between national labs, universities and K 12 schools that will also include experiments, field trips, and guest scientists

This program is managed by CESaME on behalf of the California State University.

If you have any questions about the STAR summer program, contact:

Dr. John Keller, STAR Program Director
(805) 756-2095
jmkeller@calpoly.edu
Building 25, Room 221

OR

Kaylene Wakeman, STAR Program Coordinator
Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CESaME)
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
(805) 756-2859
kwakeman@calpoly.edu