research experiences for teachers (ret) in engineering program engineering education nsf awardees...
TRANSCRIPT
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering
Program
Engineering Education NSF Awardees Conference-Sept. 26-28, 2007
Mary Poats, Program Manager-RET
National Science FoundationDivision of Engineering Education and Centers
RET Goals Build long-term collaborative relationships
between in-service and pre-service K-12 STEM teachers, community college faculty and the engineering research community by involving the teachers in engineering research and helping them translate their research experiences and new knowledge of engineering into classroom activities;
Support active participation of these teachers and future teachers and community college faculty in research and education projects funded by NSF ENG;
RET Goals Facilitate professional development of
K-12 STEM teachers and community college faculty through strengthened partnerships between higher education institutions and local school districts; and
Encourage researchers to build mutually rewarding partnerships with teachers and community college faculty.
ENG RET Investment
$0
$1
$2
$3
$4
$5
$6
FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
ENG RET $ ENG RET % of NSF
EN
G R
ET
In
ves
t me n
t (I
n M
ill i
on
s)E
NG
RE
T In
vestm
ent
(% o
f total N
SF
RE
T)
RET Funding Mechanisms
Supplements
Sites
RET Supplements Requests are made under an existing NSF
award or within a proposal for a new/renewed NSF award
Total cost of supplements are $10,000 per teacher; up to two teachers per supplement request, maximum of $20,000
Budget includes teacher/faculty stipend and up to $1,000 for the cost of materials, equipment, software, supplies for developing classroom instructions and experiments
RET Supplements Each ENG Division supports
supplements through ongoing awards More than 300 teachers supported per
year through ENG RET supplements
RET Supplements Statistics
EEC $ Other ENGDivisions $
Total ENG
$
FY 04 580K 1.62M 2.2M
FY 05 749K 751K 1.5M
FY 06 532K 868K 1.4M
RET Sites RET Site project based on independent
proposal submitted to NSF by annual deadline.
Provides groups of 10-12 in-service and pre-service K-12 teachers and community college faculty with discovery based learning experiences in university engineering labs and facilities which are incorporated into school year classroom activities.
RET Sites
Sites must have well defined focus with
clearly articulated projects. Orientation session required to acquaint
participants with laboratory methods, safety procedures, analytical methods, etc.
Project may be carried out during summer, academic year or both.
RET Program Revisions RET Site proposals must be submitted
by PI holding faculty appointment in College/Department of Engineering or Engineering Technology within U.S. academic institution.
Sites must be held during the summer for a minimum of 6 weeks (exceptions considered).
RET Program Revisions Substantive plan for follow-up with
teachers/community college faculty during academic year must be provided in RET Site proposal.
Participating teachers/community college faculty must have a background in engineering, science, or math to participate in program.
RET Program Revisions Total amount of funding available for
each RET Site program has increased to $500,000 for up to three years.
Total amount available for each teacher for materials, supplies, equipment etc. increased to $2,000.
Site proposal may also include request for support of a workshop to reach other teachers/community college faculty.
RET Sites
Award duration up to 3 years Total award request up to
$500,000 Currently over 26 active RET sites Support over 300 teachers per
year
RET Sites StatisticsProps. Award
sSuccess Rate
Total RET $ M*
FY 04 25 6 24% 1.8
FY 05 27 6 22% 2.5
FY 06 27 9 33% 2.9
*Includes funding from MPS, PFI, EPSCoR
RET Contributes to NSF Strategic Goals
The RET program is a significant contributor to the NSF goal of developing a diverse, internationally competitive, and globally-engaged science and engineering workforce.
The RET program helps to build strong foundations and foster innovation to improve K-12 teaching, learning and evaluation in STEM.
Evaluation of the RET Program SRI International http://www.sri.com/policy/csted/re
ports/university/index.html#ret2006
2001-2005 Supplements and Sites Initial Survey 2004-ERC, BES, DMII Follow-up-2006-all ENG Divisions
Academic Characteristics of ENG RET Participants
64% have at least a Master’s degree
7% have a PhD Comparable percentages for K-12
teachers nationwide—45% and less than 1%
Demographic Characteristics of ENG RET
Participants Male-52%; Female-48% 44% under age 40; 56% age 40 or
older 75% non-Hispanic white; 12%
African-American; 6% Hispanic; 4% Asian; <1% Native American; < 1% Pacific Islander; 2% more than one race
School Characteristics of ENG RET Participants
91% active K-12 teachers/community college faculty (remainder administrators, e.g. principals)
67%-high school teachers; 22% middle school teachers; 7%-elementary schools; 3%-community college faculty; 1%-other type of school
78%-public school; 14%-public magnet schools; 6% private schools; 2%-other
School Characteristics of ENG RET Participants
(cont.) 45% urban schools 40% suburban schools 15% rural schools
RET Outcomes and Impacts Increased almost all participants’
STEM knowledge base Awareness of STEM research methods,
issues and career opportunities Motivation to find ways to improve
student learning Ability to convey the excitement of
STEM to students
RET Outcomes and Impacts Enhanced participants’
professional opportunities
RET Outcomes and Impacts Positive effects on students
include: Increased awareness of STEM career
options More positive attitudes about STEM
subjects in general More interest in participating
teacher’s classes
Opportunities for Enhancement of RET
Program
Require follow-up plan involving ongoing interaction that supports classroom implementation of lesson plans, curricula or skills developed in RET project
Increase duration of program to at least six weeks; currently four-week minimum
Opportunities for Enhancement of RET
Program Encourage PIs to maintain a focus on
activities that are relevant to the participants’ ultimate need to translate what they have learned to their own classrooms
Encourage PIs to recruit teachers from a single school or school district, preferably in underserved areas