Research Experience for Teachers

June 21 - August 13, 2010

Application Deadline: March 15, 2010

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 additon, collaborative work is pursued with the Art Institute of Chicago and with the Chicago Botanial Gardens. 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. Chicago is only a half an hour away with easily accessible public transportation and the Taste of Chicago takes place in early July.

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: June 21 to August 13 in 2010.

The application deadline is March 15, 2010.

To apply:
1) Fill out the online application form. This includes writing a Personal Statement of ~300 words describing your teaching background, your research interests, previous research experience and how you think your participation in the RET program would impact your students.  Previous research experience is not required, but a clear statement of the anticipated impact of your participation is required.

2) Arrange to have 1 letter of recommendation sent to us (e-mail or mailed hard copy). We encourage e-mailed recommendation letters, but they must come from the recommender's e-mail address.

3) If you have been teaching for less than 10 years, submit a transcript for each college or university from which you have received a degree. Unofficial transcripts and photocopies of official transcripts are acceptable. If you have been teaching for 10 years or more, you do not have to submit a college transcript.

Send all application materials via e-mail (preferred) to mrc@northwestern.edu or mail a hard copy to:

Materials Research Center
Att: RET
2145 Sheridan Rd. #K111
Evanston, IL, 60208

Women and members of under-represented minority groups are encouraged to apply.
For further information, contact Martha Tanner, mrc@northwestern.edu, 847-491-3606.

2009 RET Participants and Program Director at the Closing Symposium