Greendale High School Science Teacher Russell Craze was chosen to participate in the 2012 Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs) fellowship program.
Craze will join a select group of middle and high school teachers from across the country that will work with the nation’s top scientists on short-term projects focused on the most current and innovative science research happening today. He will collaborate with scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state and bring this real-world experience back to his classroom.
“Belying the fact that he is only a second year teacher, Russell Craze has achieved quick success by working hard and collaborating in order to improve both the physical sciences offerings and our Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences program,” said Greendale High School Principal Steven Lodes in a release. “This fellowship opportunity will allow him to share his ideas and learn new strategies that will be brought back to his students at Greendale High School.”
The STARs program is organized by the Siemens Foundation, in conjunction with the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), College Board and Discovery Education. It is a two-week professional development course designed to empower teachers to bring the excitement of authentic research into the classroom and inspire students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The STARs participants will also benefit from a number of facility tours and seminars with topics ranging from “Effective Integration of Technology into the Classroom” to “Lesson Plans and Best Practices.”
"I am very excited to participate in this research opportunity at a nationally renowned laboratory with other teachers from across the country,” said Craze. “I’m looking forward to sharing some of the great things that we’re doing at Greendale and bringing back successful and engaging classroom practices. This will truly be a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to share it with my students, colleagues and administrators."
Craze graduated with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Marquette University in 2008 and with a master's degree in teaching science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2010. He currently teaches a freshmen physical science course and the first biomedical Project Lead the Way course, Principles of Biomedical Sciences. Craze also serves as the advisor for the Greendale HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Club. To view his video application for the 2012 Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs) fellowship program, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt94-mPB4Os.
