2024 New York State Master Teacher Visit to the R&D Park

March 7, 2024

For the second year, members of the New York State Master Teacher Program visited Stony Brook University’s R&D Park. The Master Teacher Program is a four-year fellowship where teachers from STEM disciplines receive a stipend over the course of four years for professional and educational development via conferences, events, field trips, collaborative projects, and training.

Last year’s visit to the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) sparked the successful high school tour program, taking place monthly. This year’s iteration included 12 teachers from multiple school districts throughout Long Island. Organized by Jason Braun of Half Hollow Hills High School, the teachers first visited the Center of Excellence in Wireless Information Technology (CEWIT),  experiencing how AI-programmed robotics and virtual reality technology can be used to simulate real-world experiences. The cohort then went to the AERTC where they interacted with researchers and lab directors discussing renewable energy topics of hydrogen, battery storage, combustion, and power electronics.

Teacher feedback included, “It was fantastic to see the inner workings of energy and sustainability research. There are so many incredible projects taking place here and it truly gives me hope that we can solve the planet’s energy crisis.”

K-12 Engagement, organized by the Office of Economic Development, will continue with visits from Levittown, Mineola, and Miller Place high schools scheduled for upcoming months.