Through this program, high school teachers can borrow laboratory equipment to use in their science classes free of charge, for up to a week: “The goal of this initiative is to give high school teachers access to technology similar to that used in the CHESS research facility," states Lora Hine, director of Education and Outreach at CLASSE.
On July 12th, Xraise hosted a teacher workshop led by Bruker Elemental scientist, Dr. Bruce Kaiser. Throughout the workshop Dr. Kaiser trained staff, graduate students and teachers on how to use the devices as well as the many applications and investigations that can be carried out through the use of the XRF devices. Over 20 teachers from all over New York State attended, as well as scientists from Brookhaven National Laboratory, CHESS graduate student David Agyeman-Budu and a high school science teacher from Puerto Rico Shirley Martinez who we met through CHESS research scientists Carlos Cabrera.
Currently, Xraise is in the process of acquiring a New York State permit for the devices so that we are able to ship it to different schools within the state. Teachers will be required to attend a proper training at Cornell on how to use the XRF device.
Xraise is also working with two high school teachers from the workshop, Walter Peck from Whitney Point High School and Vincent Pereira, from Freeport Public School in Long Island, in developing a chemistry lesson plan analyzing different concentrations of Ferric and Ferrous Chloride with the XRF device.