RET: RESEARCH EXPERIENCE for TEACHERS

We are pleased to announce opportunities for teachers of science, math and technology to work with research scientists and engineers at Harvard University. Through our 6–8 week joint Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program, teachers participate in educational and technical research as part of a scientific research community. Participants will have the benefit of significant collaboration with the science education community within the Center for Nanoscale Systems at Harvard (www.cns.fas.harvard.edu), the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (www.nsec.harvard.edu), and faculty in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard. The RET program is designed to build bridges between K12 education and research in nanoscale, bio, and materials science & engineering; involve educators in the research community; enhance the quality of pre-college education; and result in the production of classroom-tested instructional materials.

Teachers in 3 National Science Foundation-funded programs will work closely with faculty, staff, students, and each other to develop educational modules based on their exposure to research throughout the summer. While all teacher participants share common meeting and training activities, each funding source has a distinct focus.

• Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center based at Harvard
• Bring nanoscale science and engineering concepts to classroom.
• Teachers from middle school to community college level can apply.
• Teachers may return for a second summer to refine module.
• Opportunities to participate in and present at local & national conferences.

• Materials for Bioengineering Research Internships Dedicated to Gateway Experiences (BRIDGE)
• New grant that focuses on teachers and undergraduates without prior research experience.
• Bring materials and bioengineering research to classroom.
• Teachers from elementary to community college level can apply.
• Opportunities for significant interaction with undergraduates.
• Teachers may return for a second summer to refine module.
• Opportunities to participate in and present at local & national conferences.

• NNIN RET: 8 week program
• National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN), teachers based at the Harvard site are part of a network that has sites at Penn State, University of California at Santa Barbara, Howard University, and Georgia Tech
• Open to in-service and pre-service teachers of science or technology who are or will be teaching grades 6-12.
• 6 weeks in summer at the NNIN site
• 1 week follow up during the school year
• 1 week sharing experience at the annual meeting of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

No prior scientific research experience is necessary. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. We welcome both pre-service and in-service teachers. We are eager to support you in your professional development goals.

Eligibility for Application –

• US Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
• Preference given to teachers within commuting distance to Harvard

2008-09 RET Timeline – Important Dates:
              Application Deadline:             April 27, 2008 or until positions filled
              Summer Experience 2008:             June 25 –August 2008
              School-Year Follow-up:             Fall 2008 – early Spring 2009
              NSTA Conference – New Orleans, LA, March 19-22, 2009

RET provides:

• Stipend - $1000 per week for 40 hour week
• 6-8 week summer experience with faculty and graduate student collaborators
• Travel support to NSTA – up to $1,500
• Classroom materials funds
• Classroom activity development support
• Hands-on research experience
  

Applications are now available for the 2008 RET programs. Please fill out the application and send 2 letters of reference to: Dr. Kathryn Hollar Director of Educational Programs School of Engineering & Applied Sciences Harvard University 29 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 hollar (at) seas.harvard.edu

 

RET 2007	RET 2006
RET 2005	RET 2004

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PEER INSTRUCTION

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center and the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center at Harvard University, in conjunction with the Cambridge-Harvard GK12 Program, offer a workshop for middle and high school science and math instructors on Peer Instruction by Professor Eric Mazur. The basic goals of Peer Instruction are to encourage and make use of student interaction during lectures, while focusing students’ attention on underlying concepts and techniques. The method has been assessed in many studies using standardized, diagnostic tests and shown to be twice as effective as the conventional lecture approach to teaching.

Peer Instruction is now used in a wide range of science and math courses at the college and secondary level. During the Peer Instruction workshop, participants learn about Peer Instruction, serve as the “class” in which Peer Instruction is demonstrated, discuss several models for implementing the technique into the classroom, and learn about available teaching resources. More information on Peer Instruction is available at the website http://galileo.harvard.edu and at http://mazur-www.harvard.edu/education/educationmenu.php.

For information about the latest Peer Instruction Workshop, please visit http://www.eduprograms.deas.harvard.edu/peer_instruction.htm.