While many teachers spent their summers on vacations or relaxing at home, one Thomas County Middle School teacher spent her summer as a scientist.  Tammy Sharpe, 5th grade MERIT science teacher, was selected to participate in the Research Experiences for Teachers summer program at the FSU Magnetic Research Lab in Tallahassee.  Teachers from throughout the US apply for this opportunity, and Sharpe was one of the few chosen.  This program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a six-week program that pairs teachers with MagLab scientists to work on actual research projects.  They also participated in seminars, professional development, and technology workshops to develop materials for their classrooms.

Tammy Sharpe (left), from Thomas County Middle School, and Eyra Morales, a teacher from Florida, plot an electromagnetic field during their research at the FSU MagLab this summer