Research Experience for Teachers

June 24 - August 16, 2013

(deadline: March 15, 2013)

All applicants will be notified of the final decision by email.

The Center provides a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program each summer. Middle school, high school, and community college teachers are eligible to apply. The participating teachers engage in research, develop a network of scientific colleagues, learn scientific and technological developments, and discover ways to transfer this knowledge to the classroom. Teachers are matched up with a center faculty based on research interests.

Center research topics include polymers, gels, nanocomposites, nanoparticles, molecular electronics, transparent conductors, plasmonics and multiferroics. In addition, collaborative work is pursued with the Art Institute of Chicago. For an overview of Center research, please view the MRSEC research and highlights websites. A list of some previous projects is available.

At the end of the program, the teachers are asked to develop a short curriculum project that is based on their research and that they can take back to their classrooms. The 8-week RET program participants receive a $8,500 stipend and have opportunities to earn six graduate level credits through a partnership with National Louis University. Funds are available for travel expenses and housing for teachers who are coming from outside the Chicago-land area.

The participants conduct hands-on cutting-edge research for 8 weeks and write a technical paper at the end. The teachers also give a 15-minute presentation at the closing symposium. Other activities include a field trip to a national lab or an industrial research site and seminars by Northwestern faculty.

To be eligible for the program, the teacher must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have at least a bachelor's degree in science or engineering, and be able to conduct on-site research during the entire 8 weeks of the program: Summer 2013.

For further information, contact mrc-ret@northwestern.edu, 847-467-0470.

2012 RET Program Director Lincoln Lauhon and participants.