Columbia's Nevis Laboratories is hosting two teachers from South Africa as part of its annual QuarkNet program, a summer curriculum enrichment and training program for high school physics teachers. Columbia has invited six teachers from Africa, with two teachers visiting each of three universities: Columbia, Hampton University in Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh. This summer's month-long program and follow-up in Africa are supported by a $57,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and participation from the Department of Energy (DOE).

The program, jointly administered by the NSF and the DOE, is part of the Bush Administration's effort to address Africa's educational needs in science and technology. Three other teachers from South Africa and one from Zimbabwe will be taking part in similar programs at the University of Pittsburgh and Hampton University.

"In difficult situations, science often works in providing an entry point for solving societal problems," said William Willis, a Columbia physics professor who oversees the program. "We hope the QuarkNet program—and others like it—can play a part in bringing the latest advances in scientific research to all parts of the globe."

The QuarkNet program, established in the summer of 2000, brings high school students, undergraduates and high school teachers to Nevis Laboratories to work alongside its scientists and technicians to determine critical physics and technology issues. Participants also work to develop a conceptual design for a next-generation neutrino detector, a technology that would help address questions in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. In addition, attendees are given training in a new curriculum developed by local high school teachers who are a permanent part of the QuarkNet program. This year's session concludes on July 13.

Nevis Laboratories is Columbia University's primary center for the study of high-energy experimental particle and nuclear physics. Its researchers, which include faculty members, postdoctoral research scientists and graduate students, engage in the preparation, design and construction of high-energy particle and nuclear experiments and equipment. The Nevis Laboratories is located on a scenic 60-acre estate in Irvington, NY, originally owned by the son of Alexander Hamilton.