NSF Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) at Boston University

2025 program dates: June 30 – August 8. 

Applications accepted from January 15 – April 15.

The Boston University Photonics Center NSF RET Site in Integrated Nanomanufacturing seeks up to ten public high school science teachers and community college faculty in STEM fields to join the BU research community for six weeks during the summer, to participate in engineering research projects with BU faculty and graduate students. (This program is currently pending renewal with NSF.)

We also seek two teachers to participate in NSF-funded research supporting cardiac tissue engineering. (This program is confirmed for 2025.)

Educators will be paid for their participation in the six-week summer program and for implementation during the following academic year of new learning modules developed during the summer.

RESEARCH & TEACHING

Participants will conduct authentic engineering research, mentored by BU faculty and graduate students. All RET projects support research currently underway at BU.  No research experience is necessary. The aim is to provide high school and community college educators with research experiences that will enhance their teaching of engineering and inform their understanding of STEM career paths to better advise their students.

All participants are expected to develop curricular lessons and activities from their research experience, to implement in their classrooms. To facilitate this, participants will be coached and mentored by our RET curriculum expert, East Boston High School Physics Teacher Shereen Mejia. Mejia participated in laboratory research two years before taking on the role of curriculum mentor and coordinator for our program. Please visit our curriculum page to see lessons and activities developed by past participants.

RET Participants will:

  • Receive a $8,000 stipend (paid at the end of the program)
  • Receive a parking pass or MBTA card for the 6-week program.
  • Complete a research project with faculty mentors and graduate students, and present their project at the final Summer Research Poster Session on August 7.
  • Attend research presentations, technical trainings, curriculum development workshops, and networking events.
  • Develop their own curriculum module to teach a topic related to their summer research.
  • Receive $2,000 toward classroom supplies to implement new curriculum and other lessons.
  • Receive 180 Professional Development Points from BU College of Education.

Eligibility and requirements:

  • Open to educators currently teaching high school or community college STEM subjects.
  • Participants must be US citizens or permanent residents.
  • Participants must be from the Boston area and available and willing to commute to BU, Monday through Friday, June 30 – August 8, 2025 (excluding July 4).
  • Teachers from underrepresented groups and high needs public school districts are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Teachers must commit to implementing their original curriculum module during the following academic year.
  • Applications are due by April 15.

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Program Guidance