Teacher Research Academies

"Providing Teachers with a Real World Context to Teach Science"

The Teacher Research Academy (TRA) offers middle school, high school and community college faculty unique professional development experiences at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). TRA teachers participate in a continuum of standards-based instruction, enabling them to progress from novice to mastery in exciting scientific disciplines while they experience the application of real world science in an environment teachers seldom experience.


Biotech


Climate Change


Computer Modeling



Fusions and Astrophysics


Technical Writing


3D Printing

Climate Change and Possible Solutions will not be offered in Summer 2016.

The Teacher Research Academy Model

TRA employs a continuum model where teachers progress through five levels of instruction. Each level builds on the knowledge and experience of the preceding level progressing the teacher from novice to mastery. Materials are aligned with the California and National Science Standards.

Level I - Entry Skills and Knowledge
  • Three days of instruction, including hands-on activities using the science and technology of the chosen discipline, lectures by practicing scientists, tours of research facilities, and opportunities to network with researchers and peers
  • Develops skills and knowledge consistent with the requirements to teach middle and high school level science
  • College credit: 1.0-quarter graduate unit or 1.0 semester extension unit
  • No prerequisites
Level II - Advance Skills and Knowledge
  • Five days of instruction, including hands-on activities using the science and technology of a discipline, lectures by practicing scientists, tours of research facilities, and opportunities to network with researchers and peers
  • Develops skills and knowledge consistent with the requirements to teach advanced placement or college preparatory courses
  • College credit: 2.0-quarter graduate units or 2.0 semester extension units
  • Prerequisite: completion of Level I
Level III - Pre-internship Preparation
  • Five-days of instruction in research methods and practices, lectures by scientists on research strategies, applied technical writing methods and job shadowing in research labs
  • Develops skills and knowledge to prepare teachers to work in a mentored research internship
  • College credit: 2.0-quarter graduate units or 2.0 semester extension units
  • Prerequisite: completion of Level II
Level IV - Mentored Research Internship
  • Eight week mentored research work experience where teachers contribute as a member of a research team.
  • Teachers receive a $4000 stipend for the successful completion of internship.
  • College credit: : 5.0-quarter graduate units or 3.0 semester extension units.  
  • Prerequisite: completion of Level III.
  • Deliverables: 
    • Create and present a research poster based upon your internship experience at the LLNL Summer Research Symposium.
    • Teacher Research Academy internships are competitive and run June 13-Aug 5, 2016. Applications available upon request, contact Joanna Albala.

Registration for 2017 will open late January. Registration fee is $20/workshop.

No events scheduled

How to Register:

1. Select a topic from below.

2. Register separately for each workshop (Level I, II, III) you wish to attend.

3. After submitting the registration form, you will receive a link to the Security Badge Request form. Complete the form for each workshop you wish to attend. Mail or fax each of the forms for each workshop registration. Send the form to:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Attn: Joanna Albala
7000 East Ave., L-797
Livermore, CA 94550
Fax: (925) 422-1077

4. You will receive a confirmation email after your the Security Badge Request and registration fee are received.

5. A $20 registration is required. Make checks payable to LLNS (Lawrence Livermore National Security). To receive a refund, provide written notice of cancellation 15-days prior to the workshop start date.

6. U.S. Citizenship is required to participate in the Teacher Research Academy.

Participants in the Teacher Research Academy can earn graduate course credit through the California State University (CSU) East Bay toward a Master of Science in Education degree, Curriculum Option.

Teachers in the CSU East Bay Masters Degree program can earn up to 10 graduate-level quarter units by completing TRA Level 1 - Level 4 workshops:

  • Level 1: 1.0 quarter units
  • Level 2: 2.0 quarter units
  • Level 3: 2.0 quarter units
  • Level 4: 5.0 quarter units

The remainder of the units for the MS program can be completed online. Additionally, teachers can apply up to 13-quarter units for a qualifying credential program toward the total 45 units needed.

To be eligible, teachers must apply and be admitted to the Masters Program at the CSU East Bay Department of Teacher Education prior to the start of the TRA program.

Contact the CSU East Bay program coordinator for more information:
Dr. Valerie Helgren-Lempesis
Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator
Phone: 510-885-3006
Email: valerie.lempesis@csueastbay.edu

Take Highway 580 towards Livermore from any of the surrounding areas.

  • Take the Greenville Avenue exit.
  • From I-580 EAST, turn left at the stop sign.
  • From I-580 West, stay to the right.
  • Turn right at Greenville Avenue.
  • Turn right at Eastgate Drive, at the Laboratory's east entrance.
  • Turn right into the Department of Applied Science parking lot, before the guard gate.
  • ETEC is B6675.

ETEC Building