The Science Education Program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory provides professional development instruction to in-service and pre-service teachers. There are three programs available to teachers. Each of these programs provides opportunities for extension or graduate credit from accredited universities.

Department of Energy Academies Creating Teacher Scientists (DOE ACTS)
LLNL participates in the U. S. Department of Energy Academies Creating Teacher Scientists (DOE ACTS) teacher professional development program. Teachers applying to participate in DOE ACTS can choose to work in one of the following research areas: Biotechnology Fusion-Astrophysics Energy Technologies & Environment The application period for 2008 is not yet open.

Edward Teller Science & Technology Symposium
The Edward Teller Science and Technology Symposium links the science classroom with the research laboratory. Science teachers visit LLNL to explore cutting-edge research in physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences. Participants tour state-of-the-art research laboratories, talk with researchers, and attend "hands-on" workshops to learn new standards-based activities they can use in their classroom. Participants may earn 1 semester unit from CSU Chico. The symposium is held annually in the fall.

Teacher Research Academies
Teacher Research Academies (TRA) are a professional development program where middle and high school science teachers learn science content and practice using advanced scientific instrumentation with classroom activities aligned with the California Science Content Standards. The academies are offered in several content areas reflecting the "cutting-edge" science found at LLNL. This instruction provides teachers a context to understand how the content is used to solve real, large-scale problems. A team of LLNL research scientists and master science teachers develops content ensuring that the curricula and materials are accurate and that the presentation models best practices in instruction. Currently there are four fields of study:

• Fusion and Astrophysics
• Biotechnology
• Biophotonics
• Environment and Energy Technologies

TRA workshops are offered at variety of locations in northern California. Participants may earn up to 9 semester units of extension credit from CSU Chico, or 10-quarter units of graduate credit from CSU East Bay and may apply these units toward a Masters of Science in Education, curriculum option. Workshop schedules, registration and details about the Masters degree option are available online.