RET for Educators
PROGRAM DETAILS
Inspiring students to learn more about science, math and engineering
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) provides K-12 teachers with research experiences and ongoing relationships with career scientists, enabling them to share the latest developments in STEM fields with students and inspire their students to learn more about science, math, and engineering and their related career paths. Application by teams of STEM teachers is also encouraged.
Program dates:Â June 18 – July 30, 2025
Major Activities
- Teachers will engage in cutting-edge research under the guidance of a faculty mentor for approximately 35 hours per week for six weeks.
- Teachers will develop strong relationships with researchers and their teams from Iowa State University through small group discussions about their research and develop strategic partnerships to help bring new ideas into the classroom.
- Teachers will attend weekly laboratory meetings with the research team to understand how they function and learn together while researching.
- Teachers will spend one day each week focusing solely on their professional learning with other RET program colleagues.
- Teachers will produce a lesson or unit during the summer that will help translate summer learning into activities for use in the classroom. Master teachers will support teachers in developing these learning experiences during professional development sessions.
- Teachers will participate in 30-minute, bi-weekly mentoring meetings via zoom with the program coordinator during the subsequent school year. The use of this time is determined with the teacher to provide ongoing connections and support.
- Follow-up activities may include faculty and graduate student visits to teachers’ schools and opportunities for students to conduct small independent research projects.
Research Projects
The Office of Biotechnology coordinates with faculty members from all across campus to offer a vast array of research opportunities for teachers in engineering, technology, mathematics, life sciences, chemistry, and many others.
Teachers are encouraged to be specific about the type of research that fits their classroom best when filling out the application. See the list of past participant research projects or research project examples.
Application Qualifications
High-quality candidates will:
- Be a 6-12 grade science, math, or engineering/technology teacher or instructional leader who works directly with classroom teachers
- Be committed to the entire length of the program
- Possess one or more years of classroom teaching experience
- Have completed the application by March 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status around March 21, 2025.
Program Highlights
- Teacher Stipend: $900/week for six weeks of research experience.
- Travel allowance: $500 mileage allowance if commuting to campus and $1,000 if traveling to campus. Â
- Housing is provided on campus if the teacher has > than 100-mile roundtrip commute.
- Food allowance: $100.00 debit card provided to use on campus for food expenses only.
- Classroom supplies allowance to incorporate research experience into classroom and curriculum. Typically, $500.00/teacher.
- Opportunities to tour Iowa State University facilities and learn about ongoing research projects right in our backyard.
- License Renewal Credit available. Cost for credit paid by the teacher.
- All programs take place at or near the Iowa State University campus. Some meetings take place via zoom or other online platforms.
- Opportunities may exist for post-program learning and involvment throughout the school year.
- Teachers also are required to attend two paid virtual learning days scheduled for Saturdays in November and February.
Or contact:
Maureen Griffin
Office of Biotechnology
1210 Molecular Biology Building
Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3260