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Research Experiences for Teachers (NSF-RET)

Join our Summer 2026 program

The RET Site: Teachers As Researchers in Computing Classrooms (TARCC) is an NSF-funded program designed to enhance computer science (CS) literacy among high school students by providing K-12 STEM educators with hands-on research experiences. Over three years, 30 educators from eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin will collaborate with university faculty on interdisciplinary projects in Rose Genomics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Heart Cell Simulations, High Performance Computing (HPC), and Cloud Computing. The program equips teachers with innovative pedagogical approaches, empowering them to modernize CS education and inspire students to pursue STEM careers.

In the summer of 2026, TARCC will host 10 high school STEM teachers for an intensive seven-week research experience. Participants will work closely with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects, exploring how computational thinking can transform high school computing education. Through professional development, collaborative research, and reflective teaching practices, these educators will gain practical skills to integrate modern CS topics into their classrooms, helping to close the gaps in computing education across the region.

Apply to the RET Program Summer Projects List

Experience STEM at UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, and UW-Stout

To inspire a diverse group of teachers in diverse STEM activities, the RET program will include the following additional events:

  • Work with professors on interdisciplinary projects including Rose Genomics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Heart Cell Simulations, High Performance Computing, and Cloud Computing.
  • Workshops related to high-performance computing, computational science, ethics and responsible conduct of research, and laboratory safety.
  • Seminars in topics such as STEM research, scientific writing, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
  • Guest speaker presentations and field trips.
  • Social events.

Program Highlights:

  • Participants in this RET program will receive a stipend ($10,000).
  • All field trips will be arranged for the teacher participants.
  • Travel cost will be covered for potential conference presentations of research outcomes.

Program Schedule:

  • Week 1 (6/8 - 6/12): Introduction and Research Discussion
  • Week 2 (6/15 - 6/19): SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)
  • Week 3 (6/22 - 6/26):  SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)
  • Week 4 (6/29 - 7/2): Research 
  • Week 5 (7/6 - 7/10): Research
  • Week 6 (7/13 - 7/17): Research
  • Week 7 (7/20 - 7/24): SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)

More about UW-Eau Claire More about UW-Stout More about UW-River Falls