Research Experience for Teachers
The Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM) at Princeton University conducts a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program each Summer, pending funding.
The RET is for high school teachers who teach Chemistry, Physics, Technology, or related subjects and who wish to enrich their curriculum by experiencing state-of-the-art research in Materials Science.
Teachers in RET conduct research full-time in the lab of a PCCM faculty member. The program is coordinated with our Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. RET and REU are funded by the National Science Foundation. The number of positions depends on funding.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES: The teachers attend 3-4 lectures that introduce general subjects in Materials Science. The teachers participate in lab tours given by the PCCM faculty, and in a joint RET/REU ethics component dealing with issues in science and engineering. There are also interactions and joint activities with other teacher programs in progress on the campus.
INCORPORATING THE EXPERIENCE INTO THE CLASSROOM: Before the end of the summer experience, each teacher will prepare a plan for one or both of the following:
(a) Incorporating their research into their school curriculum. This might include adding or modifying a curriculum unit; adding a laboratory exercise; and having the mentor visit the classroom.
(b) Turning their experience into web pages useful to other teachers.
In either case, the teacher will work with the faculty mentor and the PCCM Outreach Director. The latter will visit each teacher's classroom at least once during the following academic year to track implementation of the plan.
The dates of the program for 2013 are to be determined by the teacher and the faculty mentor but will run for 5-8 weeks in the summer. Those teachers selected for the program will receive a salary of $1000 per week. This salary is taxable income.
We encourage applications for all science and engineering disciplines. Those interested in applying to the program may do so online. Applications should include at least one letter of recommendation. In your application, it is important to be explicit about the research areas that interest you. No separate resume or essay is necessary. These are included in the online application. We make an effort to find the best match between potential research projects and your research interests. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2013. Selection of participants will be made beginning in mid-February and continuing through late April. Those selected for the program will be notified by email, with information about a potential research topic and research mentor. You may contact the Outreach Director if you need to know the status of your application.
Application information can be forwarded to:
Princeton Center for Complex Materials
Princeton University
Attn: Daniel Steinberg
70 Prospect Avenue, Bowen Hall
Princeton, NJ 08540-5211
FAX: (609) 258-6878
Inquiries may be addressed to:
Dan Steinberg
Director of Education Outreach
Director of REU/RET
Phone: 609 258-5598
Shannon Greco
REU/RET Coordinator
Phone: 609 258-8830