Research Experiences for Teachers

Principal Investigator: Professor Xin Zhang
co-Principal Investigator: Professor Thomas Bifano

Description

Participants in the Integrated Nanomanufacturing RET will work in the vital research area involving nanoscale structures, devices, and systems. Integrated nanomanufacturing research supports a wide range of applications in biotechnology and healthcare, robotics, electronics, computing, artificial intelligence, and energy. Participants engage in mentored research and discovery, exploring nanoscale systems, fabricating novel devices, and engineering new materials. In addition to independent research projects, participants receive training and access to state-of-the-art equipment through the Site’s group training sessions in photolithography, 3D printing, and electron microscopy.

This program supports up to ten teachers per year. Most participants will be placed in faculty labs. A few may be placed with innovative nanotech companies located in BU’s Business Innovation Center.

Since 2015, the BU Photonics Center has successfully hosted more than 60 teachers in the RET INM program.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. (This is an NSF requirement.)
• Must be an in-service high school or community college teacher in STEM.
• Must be able to commit to the full 6-week summer program in person.

Program Director: Professor David Bishop
co-Principal Investigator: Professor Chris Chen

Description

BU is the lead institution for the NSF Engineering Research Center in Cellular Metamaterials (CELL-MET) which aims to transform cardiovascular care by combining breakthroughs in nanotechnology and manufacturing with tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Participants in the CELL-MET RET will conduct research in support of cardiac tissue engineering. Projects may involve the latest multiscale 3D printing technologies to engineer cell scaffolds, constructing actuators to foster desired activity of cells and tissue, and advanced imaging to monitor and control cellular activity. The ultimate goal of this research is to fabricate personalized heart tissue that could replace diseased or damaged muscle after a heart attack.

This RET program supports 1-2 teachers per year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. (This is an NSF requirement.)
• Must be an in-service high school or community college teacher in STEM.
• Must be able to commit to the full 6-week summer program in person.

Project information will be updated as it is received.

Our projects involve and integrate multiple disciplines, and all STEM high school and community college teachers are invited to apply. No prior research experience is required. Preference is given to highly motivated applicants from Boston and nearby public school districts serving large concentrations of low-income students, English Learners, and students with disabilities.

Eligible participants are:

• Citizens or permanent residents of the United States. (This is an NSF requirement.)
• In-service high school or community college teachers in any STEM field.
• Able to commit to the full 6-week summer program in person.

We encourage you to review our FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.

For further inquiries about the program, please email us at phoret@bu.edu or fill out our contact form. Please allow a few days for a response.