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2009 RET Teachers
RET Summary
In this RET Site twelve teachers are initiated in research. The basic approach used is

discovery through actual construction and experimental testing, field data collection, observing and recording, computer simulations, synthesizing, and generalizations. Two teachers will work on a project for six weeks during the summer under the mentorship of a faculty member and a graduate student (there will be 6 projects). Teachers are given reading material in advance to familiarize themselves with the research to be pursued. Lectures, seminars, demonstrations, and three field trips are conducted to prepare the teachers for their research and to provide them with background training in Civil Engineering. In addition, the teachers take a professional development program taught by education and engineering faculty members and practicing engineers. The teachers also work with a team of engineering graduate students working for a NSF GK-12 Fellows project on developing lesson plans before they finish the RET summer experience. The teachers will receive three Continuing Education Unit credits for the combined summer research and professional development experience and a summer stipend. The teachers will participate in a post-RET implementation program for which they will receive additional academic year stipend and classroom supplies support. The project evaluation plan includes assessment of both the impact of the research experience on the teacher and on student learning after the teacher classroom implementation. The RET projects will provide an opportunity to the teachers to learn how they can engage the interests and abilities of their students by allowing them to see how STEM concepts are used to discover the world and solve society’s pressing needs. This RET Site will provide the teachers with experience in using state-of-the-art testing, data recording equipment, and simulation tools and a "total" experience of learning through research, report writing, and presentation.