Empowering Educators with Hands-On Microelectronics Research: Cultivating Engineering Pathways for Secondary Students
Looking for an engaging, well-paid summer professional learning opportunity? Interested in learning more about the highly skilled technical STEM workforce needed to support the local economy? Consider applying to participate in the six-week Research Experiences for Teachers Program at Binghamton University (July 6-Aug. 14).
Purpose of the RET Site
This Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Site at Binghamton University (State University of New York) supports middle and high school teachers from rural communities, especially those who teach students with disabilities, by immersing them in cutting-edge microelectronics research.
By participating in a summer research experience, teachers gain hands-on knowledge of microelectronics technologies and practices by working directly with university researchers and engineers. They will bring this experience back to their classrooms, creating more engaging and relevant lessons that introduce students to careers in microelectronics.
We hope access to these opportunities will help cultivate a larger pool of highly skilled technical talent to support our region’s growing role in the national microelectronics industry.
Selected teachers will be assigned to assist in research activities in the state-of-the-art laboratories. This may include working on electronics packaging and reliability, thermal management, printed electronics and materials processing. Throughout the experience, they will work together to develop lesson plans that can be brought back to their district. Feedback and guidance will be provided by Associate Professors Amber Simpson and Loretta Mason-Williams, faculty members from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership at the College of Community and Public Affairs.
This work is supported by the National Science Foundation.
Our target participants include co-teaching partners from rural schools, including a STEM teacher and a special educator, as students from rural areas and students with disabilities have been identified by NSF as missing from the STEM workforce and necessary to building a diverse and highly skilled technical workforce. We define STEM teachers broadly to include science content teachers, career/technology education teachers and computer science teachers. Additionally, participants may come from a variety of instructional settings, including “regular” secondary classrooms, alternative or special education settings, and career/technical programs.
More info
- Application deadline: April 1, 2026
- Participants informed of acceptance: April 15, 2026
- Program start date: July 6, 2026
- Program end date: Aug. 14, 2026
- Where: Binghamton University Innovative Technologies Complex, 85 Murray Hill Road, Vestal
Eligibility
Participation in this program is geared towards STEM teachers and special educators who work collaboratively in grades 7-12 with an interest and background in:
- Providing high-quality STEM education to a diverse student body, including students with disabilities.
- Collaborating with teachers in their school district to provide high-quality special education services in a variety of settings.
- Supporting all students through effective instructional practices.
Additionally, to be eligible, applicants must confirm they will attend in person all six weeks of the program. (Participants may not miss more than three days throughout the experience to receive the full stipend.) U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required.
Award Details
Teachers selected for this opportunity will be appointed as RET Scholars and will:
- In partnership with faculty and graduate students at Binghamton University, contribute to a research project related to microelectronics and electronics packaging.
- Receive training on sophisticated instrumentation in our Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory.
- Visit local industry partners to learn about the highly skilled technical workforce of tomorrow, such as BAE, Lockheed Martin, NY Creates and Nvidia.
- Develop curriculum modules and field trips for their students.
All RET Scholars will receive a stipend of $13,500 for their participation in the program, as well as $1,420 for the cost of materials, equipment, software and other supplies for classroom instructions and experiments.
During the school year, scholars will attend three professional development workshops and take part in a collaborative lesson study with your RET scholars cohort (substitute teachers will be provided by the grant).
The summer portion of the program runs at Binghamton University (85 Murray Hill Road in Vestal) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 6 to Aug. 14.
When applying, teachers should submit the following materials:
- a letter of recommendation from an administrator or colleague;
- an updated resumé with information about their education and employment history; and
- a personal statement about why they are applying to RET Scholars and how they intend to utilize their RET experiences to promote STEM learning and careers in the highly skilled STEM workforce.
To learn more
For additional information about the experience or to answer any questions, email ret@binghamton.edu.