Research Experience for Teachers of Engineering (RETE)

RETE program title

This National Science Foundation program provides support to UNH's Research to Inspire Students in Engineering (RISE) project.

The University of New Hampshire Department of Engineering and The Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education is offering its Research Experience for Teachers in Engineering program. Please review the program description and information on teacher benefits and expectations for participation. Projects may range from on-site, completely virtual, or hybrid. We strive in this program to bring high-quality, authentic, and engaging research training to participating teachers.

The Research Experiences for Teachers in Engineering (RETE) program is funded by the National Science Foundation's Directorate for Engineering (ENG-1711701) The specific goals for the RETE are to:

  • Provide pre- and in-service middle school, high school, teacher-leaders with an intensive summer research experience in an engineering field related to Advanced Manufacturing.
  • Create a community of educators, including teacher-leaders, faculty, and university graduate students, with research experience and teaching knowledge to assist one another as they develop and implement inquiry-based engineering activities.
  • Provide access to equipment and materials for inquiry-based learning modules.

The 2023 RETE program will start on June 26 and conclude on August 4 with the Summer Research Symposium.

Benefits to  participating in the program include:

  • Placement in an engineering research group, led by a UNH engineering faculty member;
  • Conducting authentic engineering research as part of team of faculty and graduate students;
  • Access to state-of-the art laboratory, fabrication, testing, and simulation facilities;
  • $750/wk stipend;
  • Room and board for residential campus experience (pending review of COVID-19 restrictions); lunch and mileage reimbursement for commuting participants;
  • Up to $1,250 allowance for purchase of related materials and supplies to bring engineering curriculum that you create into your classroom;
  • Participation in a Community of Learners comprised of teachers working to bring engineering research practice into the classroom;
  • And school visits by graduate students in support of your teaching.

Participant Expectations:

  • Daily attendance and full participation in the six-week program.
  • Daily and weekly progress toward research objectives and goals.
  • Participation in weekly lunches to discuss research progress, transfer of research into the classroom, and curriculum enhancements to incorporate engineering research.
  • Participation in two to three one-day academic year sessions ($125/day stipend provided) that provide time to work on transfer of research practice into teaching practice.
  • Participation in project evaluation surveys and focus groups to determine if the RETE model is reaching its programmatic goals.

To Apply: (We are not accepting applications for 2022 until the program dates are established.)

  1.  Go to:  https://learnforlife.unh.edu/
  2.  Create your User Account (You can keep this User Account to apply and register for future UNH Professional Development programs)
  3.  Complete all application materials including the File Upload requirement.
  4.  Submit

(Note: Please report any problems directly to me, if you encounter them during your application process.)

Stephen R. Hale, Ph.D.
Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH
steve.hale@unh.edu

(O) (603) 862-4758
(F) (603) 862-1251
(C) (603) 767-7895

NSF Logo

Acknowledgements – This research was supported with funding from the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Teachers in Engineering Grant (ENG-1711701).