Frequently Asked Questions

Table of contents:

• How is my project/mentor chosen?
• What exactly will I do during the summer?
• What information is developed to bring back to the classroom?
• What type of expertise/skills does a teacher need to have to assist in the research?
• What are the dates of the program?
• How many hours per week will teachers be expected to spend on the summer program?
• May I take classes or have another job during the summer program?
• What will my stipend be?
• Where will I live?
• What are the details on travel reimbursements?
• Does the university have a cafeteria or places nearby where food could be purchased?
• Is there public transportation available in the area?
• Can personal vehicles be parked on the campus and is there a charge for parking?
• Can I take vacation time while I am participating on the RET program?

Summer Teacher Research Frequently Asked Questions

• How is my project/mentor chosen?

  In the application, we request a 500 word statement where we ask which LA-SiGMA research topics listed on the website you are interested in learning and contributing to. This will help us find a faculty mentor that meets your research and teaching interests. Additionally, LA Tech, has all the teachers accepted to the program meet their LA-SiGMA faculty to learn more about the faculty’s available projects in April. Based on your feedback from the meeting, we pair you with a mentor and a summer research project.
  For Tulane, we ask that you contact Dr. Noshir Pesika (npesika -AT- tulane.edu) before April to discuss the projects being offered and match you will a LA-SiGMA faculty.

• What exactly will I do during the summer?

  How you envision using your research experience in the classroom will be key to creating a plan for the summer program. This plan will be designed by both you and your faculty mentor, in agreement with both of your summer research goals. You will then pursue meeting these goals by interacting not only with your mentor, but also with his/her research group that might include other faculty, postdocs, graduate, undergraduate students, as well as summer research undergraduate students and teachers.
  For RET participants at LA Tech, the sixth and final week of the program, you will invite two of your own students to join in an on-campus STEM Student Experience. The students will participate in some of the same activities you have experienced during the summer, plus take tours of other interesting and exciting research labs across the LA Tech campus.
  UNO participants must enroll in Chemistry 6007, Experimental Chemistry for Teachers III (tuition is waived.)

• What information is developed to bring back to the classroom?

  It depends on the project, but as part of the summer plan, we request that you make a "module" or a class lesson based on your summer research.

• What type of expertise/skills does a teacher need to have to assist in the research?

  LA-SiGMA's main topics of research are Materials and Computational Science. We give preference to teachers whose education and/or teaching background is in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Math, and the Computer Sciences. Programming proficiency is not required, but some programming knowledge will be needed if the teacher wants to work on a computational sciences project. And as with all research programs, a positive attitude, perseverance, and willingness and ability to learn new material in a short amount of time will be necessary.

• What are the dates of the program?

  At LSU and Tulane, the program starts May 26 and ends August 1, spanning ten weeks. The mentor and the teacher will agree which of those weeks will be the six weeks of the RET program, but teachers must be present at the welcome events, as well as at the project proposal and final project presentations.
  The RET dates at LA Tech are June 2 – July 11, 2014. The program will begin with an orientation meeting on Monday, June 2, and will end with the STEM Student Experience the week of July 7-11. Final RET presentations will be on Friday, July 11.
  At UNO, the program dates are June 2 to July 25. The program begins with an orientation meeting on Monday, June 2, and ends with a poster presentation on the final day. During the 8 week program, RET participants are expected to be present for 6 weeks, including the first and last week. Two weeks can be taken off in between those weeks.

• How many hours per week will teachers be expected to spend on the summer program?

  The RET should be considered a full-time commitment for the duration of the 6-week program, as the stipend is based on an average participation of 40 hours per week for 6 weeks. However, your schedule will probably be more flexible than you are accustomed to (no bells to tell you when to come and go!). You should talk to your mentor to decide when, how, and where to do your research, depending on the needs and flow of your research group each week. Some weeks you may spend more time on the program than others.

• May I have another job during the summer program?

  (See previous question.) Because the program is a full-time commitment, we do not allow teachers to take classes or hold an outside job. You must be willing to devote your full attention to this program.

• What will my stipend be?

  The total budget for the RET program is $7,000 per teacher which includes the RET stipend, travel reimbursement, materials and supplies, housing (if needed), meals, and materials and supplies for your classrooms. The specifics of the breakdown of the total amount among these categories is left up to each host campus and may be determined in consultation with the teachers.
  At LSU and Tulane the stipend is $6,000, plus up to $1,000 for travel reimbursement and on-campus housing.
  At SUBR, teachers must pay into their respective retirement systems and taxes. The amount deducted depends on the fiscal year, but the stipend will approximately be $4,800. SUBR also offers up to $1,000 for travel reimbursement and on-campus housing.
  At LA Tech your base stipend will be $4,500. If you participate in TRSL, we will also add a fringe amount to contribute to your retirement. This stipend is sent directly to your school board, to be added to your summer checks after redirecting the necessary amounts to retirement, taxes, etc. Your RET package may also include transportation reimbursements, housing, a partial meal plan, classroom kits, and other benefits (see the other FAQs).
  At UNO, each position includes a $700 per week stipend plus a tuition waiver for the class in Chemistry 6007.

• Where will I live?

  At LSU and Tulane we pay up to $1,000 for travel reimbursement and on-campus housing, if necessary. The rest of the travel and housing costs will be the responsibility of the teacher.
  For teachers participating at LA Tech, the first five weeks depend on the teacher. If you live near Ruston, you can stay at home and commute to the LA Tech campus each day. If you live too far to commute, LA-SiGMA will provide an apartment on campus for you. For the final week of the program, all teachers and students are required to stay on campus since the STEM Student Experience is a residential program. Housing will be paid by LA-SiGMA@LA Tech.
  UNO does not provide housing.

• What are the details on travel reimbursements?

  All travel plans must be approved ahead of time by the RET site coordinator for the program to be able to reimburse you. If you prefer to take an airplane, we will book the round trip ticket for you. Teachers must present receipts detailing their travel expenses within two weeks of the date of travel and no later than August 31, 2014 for the return trip. Mileage will be reimbursed at the LA state rate for driving. Because of state reimbursement rules, you may only be reimbursed up to 99 miles for each round trip.
  The programs at LSU and Tulane pay up to $1,000 for travel reimbursement and on-campus housing.
  For the program at LA Tech reimbursement of up to $1000 for the cost of LA-SiGMA-related travel may include:
  a) mileage reimbursements for summer commuting. You will record each day’s mileage. If for some reason you are a student at LA Tech, you will need to complete the driver’s safety certification process BEFORE the program begins.
  b) reimbursement for travel to an applicable conference such as LSTA or LATM. Reimbursable travel expenses must not be provided by the conference, your school, or other organization; they may include registration fees, meals per diem, transportation, and accommodations at the conference. All conference travel plans must be approved by the RET Coordinator for the program to be able to reimburse you. Mileage will be reimbursed per the rules stated above. Teachers must present receipts detailing their conference travel expenses within two weeks of the date of travel and no later than May 31, 2015, for the return trip.

• Does the university have a cafeteria or places nearby where food could be purchased?

  At LSU there will be several dining rooms open during the summer where full meals may be purchased. Also, there are several nearby grocery stores that are on the bus routes.
  At UNO and LA Tech there is a cafeteria on campus, plus other dining options on and off campus. A partial meal card is usually provided as part of your RET package.
  At Tulane, there are several dining options on campus. Additional off-campus dining options are available within walking distance from the campus.

• Is there public transportation available in the area?

  At LSU there is a bus service from several locations on campus. Bus information such as routes, transfers to public buses, schedules, etc.
  There is no public transportation available around LA Tech, we recommend that you drive your own car.
  At Tulane, there is a shuttle service available ( http://tulane.edu/universityservices/transportation/index.cfm )
  At UNO, there is bus service to campus. Details can be found at http://www.norta.com/

• Can personal vehicles be parked on the campus and is there a charge for parking?

  Yes, you may park your personal vehicle on campus. At LSU and Tulane there is a charge for parking. When you let us know if you are parking on campus we'll let you know the charge for your parking permit. Street parking is also available around the Tulane campus. At LA Tech, the parking permit is usually part of your RET package.

• Can I take vacation time while I am participating on the RET program?

  Because the program only runs for 6 weeks, we don't recommend taking a family vacation. A long weekend might be acceptable (e.g., the 4th of July weekend), but you will require the permission of your RET mentor.
  At UNO, participants are expected to be present for 6 out of the 8 weeks. Vacations can be taken during the other 2 weeks.

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"Louisiana has made great investments in IT through its Vision 2020 initiative and through the creation of LONI. Now that we have the resources in place, we need to develop research projects and find the staff who can use the advanced technology in Louisiana to further academics and create more opportunities for business and industry so we can fully capitalize on these investments."
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