Research Opportunity

• Week 0.5 (June 2rd- June 4th) - Start of Asynchronous (Training, Orientation, Project Start Up)
• Week 1 (June 5th- June 6th) - Onsite research Thurs/Fri
• Week 2 (June 9th- June 13th) - Onsite research
• Week 3 (June 16th- June 20th) - Onsite research
• Week 4 (June 23th- June 27th) - Onsite research
• NO PROGRAM: July 3rd – July 4th
• Week 5 (July 7th – 11th) - Onsite research
• Week 6 (July 14th- July 18th) - Onsite research
• MAKE UP WEEK (July 21st- 25th) - (Teachers can request when there is an existing conflict when applying)

• Currently teaching courses related to mathematics, basic science or introduction to engineering courses
• Have a documented interest in encouraging underrepresented students into engineering and science programs at higher learning institutions

• We are open to community college and high school teachers from any district. However, we will focus on recruiting events at the following places- S.C. Greenville, Pickens and Anderson school districts; Spartanburg Community College, Tri-County Technical College.
• Preference given to those teaching courses related to mathematics, basic science, or introduction to engineering courses.
• Those who have a strong interest in encouraging underrepresented students into engineering and science programs are encouraged to apply.

• Each teacher or instructor will be paired with a faculty mentor and graduate student researcher.
• Faculty mentors have been selected based on their technical research and their demonstrated commitment to mentoring early career researchers.
• These faculty and their graduate students will develop demonstrations parallel to the teacher’s course modules. These demonstrations will be tied to S.C. learning standards, shared with students in the teacher’s institution.

• Clemson main campus (Clemson, SC)
• The Advanced Materials Research Laboratory (Anderson, SC)
• Clemson Center for Automotive Research at the innovation campus in Greenville, SC

This is a new RET site supported through the National Science Foundation Directorate of Engineering.

The objectives of this RET are to:   

• Expand content knowledge of advanced and traditional materials manufacturing for teacher participants to support integration into new STEM and workforce development teaching and learning materials;
• Engage teachers in advanced manufacturing research where they take on the role as the lead researcher and increase their understanding of how research leads to knowledge development;
• Provide participants with beneficial professional development (mentoring on curriculum development, etc.) both during their research experience and the academic year;
• Create strong communication between the teacher, the RET Site project faculty team and the industrial advisory board during the academic year to provide the teachers with support as they refine their curriculum modules utilizing inquiry methodology;
• Increase teacher self-efficacy related to manufacturing content knowledge and inquiry-based teaching needed to inspire their students to consider careers in advanced manufacturing;
• Deliver workforce development specific professional development targeted to increase teachers’ knowledge of regional career opportunities in advanced manufacturing to inspire their students to consider advanced manufacturing careers.

The National Science Foundation is an independent agency created in 1950 with the following mission:

• To promote the progress of science
• To advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare
• To secure the national defense.

The National Science Foundation supports summer research experiences for K-14 educators that foster long-term collaborations between universities, community colleges, school districts and industry partners.  As part of the program, K-14 educators conduct research at a university and K-14 educators and enhance their scientific disciplinary knowledge in engineering or computer science.  In addition, these educators are expected to translate their research experiences into classroom modules to broaden their students’ awareness of and participation in computing and engineering pathways. In parallel, the hosting research faculty (and their graduate students) are expected to deepen their understanding of K-14 classroom practices and current curricula. 

A list of all funded RET programs is available. A map of active awards is found on the NSF Award Visualization page.