Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
The Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program is an opportunity for K-12 teachers to participate in a research-intensive five-week program. Selected applicants for this program will work closely with faculty, students, and staff on current educational research projects, prepare professional presentations, participate in workforce development workshops, and submit a written, final report describing the results of their research. This experience will also serve as professional development in the field of automation, smart sensor technologies, and AI, with the ultimate goal of preparing our K-12 teachers to engage students in their classes in science and engineering hands-on applications and to raise awareness of STEM fields among K-12 students. Teachers participating in this program are expected to bring the knowledge they gained to their classrooms in any form of hands-on interactive class activity they deem appropriate and beneficial for their students. Teachers will have access to all the curriculum developed by the CREST MECIS center and will be able to borrow the educational kits they need free of charge.
Duration
June 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 (Participants are also required to put in an equivalent of one week of additional work during the month of May 2024 inpreparation for the RET Program that will start in June 2024)
Financial Support
Each Teacher selected to participate in this RET program will receive a total stipend of $5,000 ($1000 per week) for their participation.
Eligibility Requirements
Teachers applying for this opportunity should be fully committed and dedicated to this experience during the five-week performance period. They should also take part in the STEM Teacher Workshop that will take place on Saturday 5/18/2024 from 8 am to 5 pm at the UTRGV Edinburg Campus Engineering Building. Registration fees for the STEM Teacher Workshop will be waived for the selected applicants.
Preference will be given to teachers who have a STEM background or experience teaching courses in any of the STEM fields. Having some experience in coding and programming is a plus.
Application Process
If you are interested in participating in this educational and professional development opportunity
Applications are submitted through the NSF ETAP portal, the link to this opportunity is provided below:
https://etap.nsf.gov/award/1163/opportunity/9379
Application Window 04/02/2024 - 05/03/2024 11:59 PM ET
For more information regarding the RET Program and the application process, please contact:
Center for Multidisciplinary Research Excellence in Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Systems (MECIS)
College of Engineering & Computer Science
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Engineering Portable EPOB4 13
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
Tel. (956) 665-3070