Biotechnology High School Teacher Works with Top Scientists at National Laboratory

This fall, Dave Pinkus, a teacher at  will return to his classroom with a deeper understanding of the practical implications of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts after spending part of his summer break engaged in an immersive research program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Pinkus worked with a team of scientists and fellow teachers to look at the construction and maintenance of neutron detection systems at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source and its High Flux Isotope Reactor. Their work was part of an elite fellowship program arranged by the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities and the College Board.

He was one of just 20 teachers from across the country selected to participate in the research project at ORNL through the prestigious Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs) fellowship program. STARs is part of the Siemens STEM Academy, a premier online professional development community for STEM educators empowering and celebrating excellence in STEM education.

The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education and their partners developed the STARs fellowship to invigorate teachers by immersing them in authentic research alongside some of the country’s brightest scientific minds. The hope is that these teachers will bring the experience back into their classrooms and inspire their students to pursue STEM education and careers.

"We hope that Dave’s experience at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the experiences of all of his cohorts, will help inspire their students to become our country’s next generation of scientists and engineers," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "We see the STARs program as a key part of the Siemens Foundation’s broad effort to improve our country’s competency in STEM education and are honored that Dave was able to participate.”

At the ORNL, Pinkus and his colleagues worked with Kevin Barry, of ORNL’s Neutron Sciences Division, to test neutron detector systems that will eventually be installed at the lab’s Spallation Neutron Source – which provides the world’s most intense pulsed neutron beams for scientific research and industrial development. The teachers worked to make sure that the systems operated properly and were stable. They also tested a high resolution neutron imaging camera and various hardware and software in the detector lab.

“This was an amazing opportunity to put STEM concepts into action and connect what I’ve been teaching in the classroom to the real world,” Pinkus said. “I can’t wait to get back to my students to share with them what I learned.”

In addition to their research, Pinkus and the other STARs fellows were involved in a number of facility tours and seminars aimed at helping them effectively incorporate research into their classrooms. Each teacher also received a grant to purchase equipment and/or supplies for their classroom.

Following the programs, the Fellows will serve as ambassadors in their schools and communities as they continue working together on various STEM projects and empowering their peers with the tools and knowledge gained at the STARs program. The hope is that these teachers will then bring the experience back into their classrooms and inspire students to pursue opportunities in STEM related fields.