Plasma Pathways Summer School Instructor

Overview

The WDTS RENEW Plasma Pathways Summer School (PPSS) is seeking graduate students to help deliver content to a cohort of 15 high school students from Trenton CHS, Ewing High School, Hamilton West High School, Steinert High School, Nottingham High School, and Lawrence High School. The 4-week program in July prepares students for internships by addressing gaps between high school course offerings and the skills/knowledge required for high-level research at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). The curriculum is largely project-based and introduces PPPL’s research focuses, including fusion energy, microelectronics, and quantum information science.

A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world’s toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

Role Focus: Develop and deliver content and hands-on activities to introduce technical skills and concepts.

Specific Tasks:

• Develop and deliver 1–4 lessons with guidance from the Master Teacher.
• Develop and deliver curriculum including instruction and/or hands-on activities that can be delivered within the timeframe of the Summer School.

Shared Expectations: Instructors are also expected to help students develop their confidence, STEM identity, and sense of belonging; expand access to PPPL internships; share their research experience; utilize their expertise to teach coding, debugging, advanced math, 3D printing, and the use of AI/machine learning and laboratory techniques in fusion and plasma research; attend 4–6 one-hour planning meetings via conference call leading up to the Summer School (May-June); work as a team with the Master Teacher and other Graduate Student Instructors to develop curriculum; assist participant groups in creating a final presentation.

Time Commitment: The number of weekly hours is dependent on the number of courses the instructor takes on, up to a maximum of 5 courses. The time commitment is calculated as 1 hour of instruction plus 2 hours of preparation per course.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Enrolled graduate student, access to PPPL, teaching experience, empathy, and cultural competence.

Required Skills: Research Experience, Tutoring Experience, Other Special Skills (department specifies).