ERC Team Pivots to Virtual Model for 2020 RET Program

Outcome/Accomplishment

The Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) headquartered at Arizona State University (ASU), administered a completely virtual version of its 2020 Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Program due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person programming.

Impact/Benefits

The Center developed a new five-week course using the online platforms Canvas and Zoom that it delivered in the summer of 2020. Other programs used the remote format as a model, and the 2021 RET Program will include some components of the online program, even if held in person.

Explanation/Background

Each summer, the CBBG's RET Program invites K-12 teachers and community college faculty that teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to campus to participate in research. Participants also develop a related lesson plan to use in their own classrooms in the coming academic year.

The RET Program was modified and delivered in a completely virtual format in 2020 due to restrictions on in-person activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating teachers were supported by researchers from ASU, Georgia Tech, and Lafayette College in adapting STEM-focused and lab-based engineering lessons for online and remote delivery during the academic year.

Image

Location

Tempe, Arizona

e-mail

Start Year

Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability Icon
Energy and Sustainability Icon

Energy and Sustainability

Lead Institution

Arizona State University

Core Partners

Georgia Institute of Technology, New Mexico State University, University of California, Davis
Image

Outcome/Accomplishment

The Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) headquartered at Arizona State University (ASU), administered a completely virtual version of its 2020 Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Program due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person programming.

Location

Tempe, Arizona

e-mail

Start Year

Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability Icon
Energy and Sustainability Icon

Energy and Sustainability

Lead Institution

Arizona State University

Core Partners

Georgia Institute of Technology, New Mexico State University, University of California, Davis

Impact/benefits

The Center developed a new five-week course using the online platforms Canvas and Zoom that it delivered in the summer of 2020. Other programs used the remote format as a model, and the 2021 RET Program will include some components of the online program, even if held in person.

Explanation/Background

Each summer, the CBBG's RET Program invites K-12 teachers and community college faculty that teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to campus to participate in research. Participants also develop a related lesson plan to use in their own classrooms in the coming academic year.

The RET Program was modified and delivered in a completely virtual format in 2020 due to restrictions on in-person activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating teachers were supported by researchers from ASU, Georgia Tech, and Lafayette College in adapting STEM-focused and lab-based engineering lessons for online and remote delivery during the academic year.