2026 RET program dates: June 29 – August 7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Boston University Photonics Center<\/strong> hosts NSF Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) opportunities every summer, bringing local high school teachers and community college faculty to BU for collaborative and immersive research experiences. RET projects may involve engineering, physics, chemistry, and\/or biology. Participants are matched with labs based on their educational backgrounds, the subjects they teach, and their interests and skills. Prior research experience is not necessary, and teachers who are new to research are encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n Participants will work with Physics Teacher and Curriculum Expert Shereen Mejia (RET 2021, 2022) to develop an original curricular lesson or activity related to their research experience, to be taught in their classrooms and published online at TeachEngineering.org.<\/span><\/p>\n The aim of the RET program is to enhance STEM education by immersing STEM teachers in authentic university research, allowing them to gain deep disciplinary knowledge and translate scientific concepts into engaging classroom activities, ultimately inspiring their students to pursue STEM careers. The RET program fosters long-term collaborations between educators and researchers, strengthens STEM teaching, and broadens participation in STEM careers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Participants are provided:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Principal Investigator: Professor Xin Zhang 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.<\/strong> 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\u2019s group training sessions in photolithography, 3D printing, and electron microscopy.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Business Innovation Center.<\/p>\n Since 2015, the BU Photonics Center has successfully hosted more than 60 teachers in the RET INM program.<\/p>\n <\/em><\/span>Program Director: Professor David Bishop 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.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n This RET program supports 1-2 teachers per year.<\/p>\n We expect to host 11 teachers in summer 2026. RET faculty mentors are shown on our 2026 Projects & Mentors<\/a> page, which will continue to be updated until complete. Note: RET mentors are indicated with asterisks. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n We encourage you to review our FAQ page<\/strong><\/a> for answers to frequently asked questions.<\/p>\n\n
2026 RET Programs<\/h3>\n
NSF RET Site in Integrated Nanomanufacturing (INM)<\/h5>
\nco-Principal Investigator: Professor Thomas Bifano
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nDescription<\/h5>\n
Eligibility Requirements<\/h5>\n
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NSF ERC in Cellular Metamaterials RET (CELL-MET) <\/h5>
\n<\/em><\/span>co-Principal Investigator: Professor Chris Chen<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nDescription<\/h5>\n
Eligibility Requirements<\/h5>\n
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2026 Projects & Mentors<\/h3>
Who Should Apply?<\/h3>
Eligible participants are:<\/h5>\n
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Questions?<\/h3>