Program Overview

The NSF RET program at the University of South Alabama (USA) invites in-service middle school and high school teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to conduct research and curriculum development activities at the USA campus for six weeks during the summer. Teachers will work with U SA faculty as well as industry partners on discovery-based research projects in the area of biologically-inspired computing systems to support machine learning applications. The RET teachers will design standards-compliant curriculum modules which they will implement in their classrooms during the academic year. The teachers will also participate in many professional development activities during the summer research activity and the academic year. This program will develop a lasting relationship between the university, the K-12 schools, and the surrounding community that can help to build a strong educational foundation in the schools supported by the university and the other partners.

Program Activities

Participate in cutting-edge research on biologically-inspired computing systems under the guidance of a faculty mentor for six weeks; see the list of the research projects
Develop, implement, and assess curricula materials and activities in middle- or high-school STEM classes
Visit local industries and see their use of biologically-inspired computing systems
Form a longitudinal partnership with South faculty & students as well as colleagues from other schools
Follow-up activities may include faculty and graduate student visits to teachers' schools

Applicant Qualifications

Must be a middle school or high school teacher in STEM
Must teach in Alabama for the duration of the program
Must have a teaching appointment for the 2023-2024 school year
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Must be available for six weeks of the summer as well as follow-up activities throughout the school year
Live within commuting distance of the USA's main campus (Mobile, AL)
Use materials from your RET experience research to develop grade-appropriate curriculum materials.

Program Highlights

Participating teachers will earn the following benefits:

$7,000 stipend
Up to $1,100 to purchase materials/supplies to assist teachers in transferring the research experience to their classrooms
Travel support to attend and present at a national conference
Support for lesson plan implementation during the school year

2023 Summer Program Application is Open! Apply here!

Dates: June 5-July 13, 2023
Mondays to Thursdays 9am-2pm

Full consideration will be given to application received by Friday, February 3, 2023. Applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled.

Contact Information

For more information on the NSF RET site, please contact the Site Directors Dr. Na Gong at nagong@southalabama.edu and Dr. Shenghua Zha at shzha@southalabama.edu.

The RET program is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) award CNS-#1953544.