RET Program
We aim to create the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) site with an ultimate goal to build the nanotechnology workforce for tomorrow. We will engage the RET fellows in nanotech research and translate their research experience into education resources in practice. The fellows will gain hands-on experience in the Nano Research Facility (NRF) and build connections between nanotechnology and subjects in physics, chemistry, biology, and life sciences. They will also work in research labs on projects that have links to scientific inquires that may be raised by the targeted audience from communities such as high schools, general public, and community colleges. The intellectual merit of the proposed research activities in the areas of nanofabrication, nanotoxicity, and nanomedicine underpins the foundations of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and covers a broad spectrum of disciplines in nanotechnology. Our program should be able to foster long-term collaborative partnerships in the St. Louis region through portals that include high schools considered at risk, St. Louis community colleges - an enabler in developing the skilled diversity workforce that powers the region’s economic growth, and Saint Louis Science Center - a national leader in bringing nanotechnology to lay audiences including adults, families and K-12 schools. It will serve as a vigorous vehicle to disseminate knowledge for a better understanding of nanotech, inspire positive attitude for participation and engagement in nanotech, and encourage behaviors for learning and perceiving nanotech proactively.