RET site: A Year-Long NanoEngineering Exploration from the Lab to the Classroom

The Renewal RET Site: A Year-Long NanoEngineering Exploration from the Lab to the Classroom is a three-year program hosted by Rice University and designed to engage ten 5th-12th grade science teachers and community college faculty in cutting-edge nanoengineering research that address some of the society’s most pressing challenges, including sustainable energy, clean water, and improved health technologies. Through a six-week summer research experience, year-long academic pedagogical support, and interactions with industry mentors, educators gain firsthand knowledge of scientific discovery, engineering innovation, and STEM career pathways. The Renewal Site RET addresses a national need to prepare a skilled and diverse STEM workforce capable of solving complex challenges in health, energy, and water. By immersing educators in cutting-edge research, the program helps them bring authentic science and engineering practices into their classrooms through engaging, inquiry-based lessons. These experiences for educators are designed to increase student interest in STEM, expand awareness of engineering careers, and strengthen pathways into STEM education and professions. By connecting Rice University’s research, industry, and school districts and community colleges, the Renewal Site RET advances STEM teaching and learning, broadens participation in STEM fields, and supports the development of the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators by preparing educators to integrate authentic research experiences and engineering practices into their classrooms. In doing so, this project contributes to NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science. The Renewal RET Site: A Year-Long NanoEngineering Exploration from the Lab to the Classroom is a three-year program hosted by Rice University designed to bring cutting-edge nanoengineering research in sustainable energy, clean water, and health technologies into 5th-14th grade science classrooms in the Greater Houston area. The goals of the project are to: (1) Immerse 5th-12th-grade science teachers and community college educators in authentic nanoengineering research experiences; 2) Strengthen RETs’ nanoengineering content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and understanding of the engineering design process; 3) Disseminate engineering curricula to support classroom integration of nanoengineering concepts and research practices; and 4) Foster sustained professional growth by building a collaborative teacher cohort for improved student outcomes in STEM. Participants in this project complete a six-week summer research internship in Rice faculty’s laboratories followed by year-long pedagogical support and professional development to translate their research experiences into classroom instruction. Participants collaborate with Rice University’s Office of STEM Engagement’s curriculum experts in developing, implementing, and refining Texas Standards-aligned instructional materials that incorporate their research experience, engineering design, and real-world applications of nanotechnology. The project aims to strengthen connections among Rice university research, industry collaborations, and 5-14th grade classrooms while broadening participation in STEM and preparing students for future STEM education and workforce opportunities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.