Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

Columbia University's NSF-sponsored interdisciplinary science centers Environmental Molecular Sciences Institute (EMSI), Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) and Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) support approximately 9 total New York public high school teachers as Research Experience for Teachers (RET) participants for an 8-week period each summer. This effort is coordinated through the Columbia University's Summer Research Program for Science Teachers (SRP) that was founded in 1990 by Dr. Samuel C. Silverstein, Professor in the Department of Physiology in the College of Physicians & Surgeons. The Program is administered by Jay Dubner, Program Coordinator.

The primary aim of the SRP is to provide New York metropolitan area middle and high school science teachers with sustained hands-on experience in scientific research so they can better understand the practice of science, and better transmit to their students and fellow teachers a feeling for its practice. Each teacher spends two consecutive summers working as a laboratory research assistant under the supervision of a Columbia faculty mentor. Opportunities are available in a variety of science disciplines and academic departments. The EMSI, MRSEC and NSEC NSF-sponsored centers draw Columbia University faculty mentors from Applied Physics and Math, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Materials Science and Physics. Applications become available in early November. The filing deadline is mid-February. Applicants are notified of their status by early May.

Columbia's Program provides each teacher with a stipend per each of the two summers, Internet training, a modem or network card for his/her school's computer, a two year subscription to America Online (AOL), individual funds following each summer to purchase supplies, materials and equipment for the classroom, the opportunity to attend a professional conference.

For more information please contact Justine Herrera at x4-3964 or jh2477@columbia.edu