The Center for Mid-Infrared Technologies for Health and the Environment (MIRTHE)  at Princeton University  and its partners University of Maryland Baltimore county, Rice University, Texas A& M University, Johns Hopkins University and City College New York, conduct  a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program each Summer.

The RET is for high school teachers who teach Chemistry, Physics, Technology, or related subjects and who wish to enrich their curriculum by experiencing state-of-the-art research in  technologies and engineering systems based on mid-infrared (Mid-IR) spectroscopy that will provide unprecedented optical and chemical sensing capabilities for environmental monitoring, homeland security and medical diagnostics.

Teachers in RET conduct research full-time in the lab of a MIRTHE faculty member. The program is coordinated with our Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program and is funded by the National Science Foundation.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:

The teachers attend 3-4 lectures that introduce general subjects in mid-infrared laser spectroscopy.  The teachers participate in lab tours given by the MIRTHE faculty, and in a joint RET/REU ethics component dealing with issues in science and engineering. There are also interactions and joint activities with other teacher programs in progress on the campus.

INCORPORATING THE EXPERIENCE INTO THE CLASSROOM:

Before the end of the summer experience, each teacher will prepare a plan for one or both of the following:

(a) Incorporating their research into their school curriculum. This might include adding or modifying a curriculum unit; adding a laboratory exercise; and having the mentor visit the classroom.

(b) Turning their experience into web pages useful to other teachers.

In either case, the teacher will work with the faculty mentor and the MIRTHE Outreach Director. The latter will visit each teacher's classroom at least once during the following academic year to track implementation of the plan.

The dates of the program for 2008 are to be determined by the teacher and the faculty mentor but will run for 5-9 weeks in the summer. The teacher(s) selected for the program will receive a salary of $1000 per week. This salary is taxable income

Applications - Apply On-Line

We encourage applications for all science and engineering disciplines. Those interested in applying to the program on line (RET On-Line Application). Applications should include a resume, a short essay on how the RET program will contribute to their career objectives as teachers, a copy of their college transcript, and at least one letter of recommendation. In your essay it is important to be explicit about the research areas that interest you.  We make an effort to find the best match between potential research projects and your research interests. The deadline for applications is March 15. Selection of participants will be made beginning in mid-February and continuing until early April. Those selected for the program will be notified by email, with information about a potential research topic and research mentor. You may contact the Outreach Director if you need to know the status of your application.