RET: Research Experiences for Teachers Program

Promoting classroom teaching of leading-edge science and engineering concepts in the context of real life applications as a means to excite and retain community college STEM students. For science, engineering & mathematics faculty and instructors at California Community Colleges.

Given the Center’s focus on creating a pipeline of community college students who pursue a baccalaureate degree in science and engineering, it is imperative for the Center to engage community college faculty. These teachers can further integrate E3S science and research findings into the community college curriculum and increase community college students’ awareness and knowledge of low-energy electronic devices.

Closely aligned with project-based learning and inquiry-based science education, the context-based approach is a pedagogical method that brings scientific concepts alive in the community college classroom by tying the teaching with applications that resonates with students. The context-based approach has been shown through assessments to enhance the students’ interest in STEM and has been applied successfully in college teaching, particularly to the teaching of chemistry. Empirical evidence has also shown that context-based education helps students see and appreciate more clearly the links between science and everyday lives. The context selected for this RET program is technology applications that offer societal benefits and have employment opportunity potential. The premise is that using such context will increase community college student engagement in STEM studies, thereby contributing to student persistence and eventually, improved retention rates of students in STEM.

The application for the Summer 2020 cohort has now closed.

Program Benefits:

• Context-based teaching and learning training
• Increased understanding of the skills students will need to succeed in today’s workforce
• Access to UC Berkeley faculty, students, postdocs, and campus resources
• Exposure to new technologies and practical applications of research
• $900/week for a five to eight scholarship period
• $1,000 stipend to implement new lecture/lab

Eligibility:

• STEM Faculty or Instructor at a California Community College.
• Teaching courses in any of the following disciplines: electrical engineering, computer science, materials science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, or mathematics.
• Plan to teach a STEM course at a community college during 2020-2021 academic year.
• Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident to apply.

Requirements:

• Complete a five to eight week fellowship, working 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week during standard business hours.
• Apply context-based pedagogy to develop new curriculum for home institution(s).
• Implement new lecture or lab during 2020-2021 academic year.
• Complete program surveys to report impact of summer research experience.

2020 Program Dates

June 8 – August 7

To Apply for the 2020 Program:

• Submit an online application
  • All application requirements must be fulfilled by January 24th in order to guarantee evaluation of your application. Applications received after this date will be reviewed only if space is remaining within the program. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • 2020 RET Letter of Recommendation Form
  • Notification of decisions is expected to be sent in late March; however, if you need to know prior to this date (due to teaching responsibilities, etc.) we will try to move up your notification date.

Questions:

Nicole McIntyre
Associate Director of Education
University of California, Berkeley
nicolemcintyre@berkeley.edu
(510) 664-4882