Research Experiences for Teachers
Shaping Inquiry from Feedstock-to-Tailpipe (RET-SHIFT)
A National Science Foundation-funded program at the University of Kansas
http://cebc.ku.edu/research-experience-teachers
This Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program gives high school science teachers and
undergraduates preparing to become teachers a chance to engage in authentic research at the
University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. With funding from the National Science Foundation, this
program started in 2009. A total of 29 teachers have participated to date.
Participants will be guided by faculty mentors from biology, chemistry, ecology and engineering
departments in research projects related to making fuels and chemicals from renewable resources.
The projects will be integrated across the "feedstock to tailpipe" spectrum, including:
 how to grow algae as a starting material for fuels and chemicals,
 how to convert renewable resources into biodiesel and other bio-based ingredients for
everyday consumer products, and
 how to maximize the performance of renewable fuels and other renewable energy sources
while minimizing impact on the environment.
In addition, this program helps teachers bring scientific inquiry and engineering design to high
school classrooms—two key practices of the Next Generation Science Standards. Participants will
work together to create new lesson materials based on their research that will promote critical
thinking and interest in science and engineering.
We will meet four days a week (Monday through Thursday) for six weeks total. We hope that the
three day weekends and week-long break for the 4th of July holiday will make the experience
easier and more attractive for those individuals with family responsibilities. Other highlights include:



Assistance developing lesson materials to take back to your classroom (with scientific
inquiry and/or engineering design components)
Discussion sessions and workshops to gain pedagogical skills and science/engineering
knowledge
Tours of research labs and state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Kansas
Program Dates: June 8 – 25 and July 6-23, 2015 (6 weeks total) in Lawrence, Ks
Application Deadline: January 23, 2015
Who should apply?
 High school science teachers interested in an authentic research experience in
renewable energy, biofuels, greener alternatives to petrochemicals, and nanomaterials. We
especially encourage applications from 2 or more teachers from the same school to
promote and maintain interdisciplinary linkages between classes. Teachers will also be
encouraged to apply to participate for a second summer. This will allow returning
participants a chance to modify their curricular materials and build linkages between
different science classrooms. A total of 9 teachers will be selected to participate.

Undergraduates studying to become math or science teachers, particularly those
students from the University of Kansas UKanTeach program and from Emporia State
University. A total of 4 undergraduates will be selected to participate.
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Benefits
 In-Service Teachers: $6,500 stipend for summer program, with option for $1,500 for
implementing, assessing and disseminating lesson materials, and $1,000 per year to cover
cost of lab supplies and educational materials
 Undergraduates (Pre-Service) Interns: $2,000 stipend for summer program and $500 for
preparing lesson materials for publication
 Food and lodging during the summer research experience
 Opportunity to experience real-world research and a chance to develop new instructional
materials for your students that incorporate scientific inquiry and/or engineering design
 Travel money to present at a state or national conference
Requirements
 Participants must be either a current high school science teacher (chemistry, biology,
general science, environmental science, physics, etc.) or an undergraduate studying to
become a math or science teacher
 Participants must be able to participate in all RET activities during the summer
 Participants must have a strong commitment to creating original lesson materials and using
the new lesson materials during the academic year following the RET experience
 Participants must agree to assess lessons and disseminate them to colleagues
Overall Program Goals
 Provide professional development training and research opportunities to increase high
school teachers’ knowledge base and awareness of research methods;
 Nurture long-term linkages between KU faculty and surrounding educational community;
 Create original, standards-based, curricular materials for widespread dissemination;
 Engage high school students in real-world applications to demonstrate that solutions to
complex problems often require integration of knowledge from multiple subject areas;
 Promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
Program Partners
The activities will take place at the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) at the
University of Kansas. You can make a world of difference by changing how fuels and chemicals
are made. This is why CEBC researchers are inventing cleaner, safer chemical processes that
protect the planet and human health. Other partners include the KU Biodiesel Initiative and the
Southeast Kansas Educational Service Center in Greenbush, Kansas.
Resources Created by past RET:SHIFT participants
http://cebc.ku.edu/Resources-from-Past-RET-SHIFT
Application process: Submit your application and letter of recommendation by e-mail
(preferably), mail, or fax to:
Claudia Bode, PhD
University of Kansas
Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis
1501 Wakarusa Dr., Bldg A, Room 110
Lawrence, KS 66047-1803
FAX: 785-864-6051; Phone: 785-864-1647
E-mail: bode@ku.edu
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IN-SERVICE TEACHER PARTICIPANT APPLICATION FORM
Deadline for submitting application materials is January 23, 2015
Personal Information
Last Name
First Name
Home Address
City
State
Zip Code
Work Address
City
State
Zip Code
Home Phone
Gender:
Work Phone
MALE
FEMALE
Cell Phone
E-mail Address
USA Citizen?
YES NO
Race/Ethnicity?
Will you need housing for the summer program? YES NO
Education Background and Teaching Experience
Highest Level of
Education Completed:
Name of institution where you earned your teaching
degree:
Current Employer School Name:
Principal name:
Number of years teaching:
Subject areas:
Describe your student/school population diversity and socioeconomic status:
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Research Experiences
Do you have any prior research experience? Yes No
(This information will not affect your admission into the program)
If yes, please explain:
Have you participated in the RET:SHIFT program in the past?
____NO
IF NO, please submit a 1-page personal
statement responding to the following
questions:

Why do you wish to participate in
the RET: SHIFT program?
____YES
IF YES, please submit a 1-page personal statement
responding to the following:

Date you participated in the RET:SHIFT

Why do you want to participate in another
RET: SHIFT program.

What do you hope to learn from this
experience and how do you think it will benefit
you professionally?

What lesson might you create or how might
you adapt the curricular materials that you
developed previously in the RET:SHIFT
program to improve it and build linkages with
other subject areas (e.g., chemistry, physics,
biology, environmental science, math, etc.)?
(250 words, you should address what
you hope to achieve by participating
in the program and how you think it
may enhance your current teaching
practices.)

What is your teaching philosophy?
(250 words)
Letter of Recommendation
Please provide one reference who can speak to your interest in teaching.
This reference should write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
Reference Name:
Relationship context:
Phone number:
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Other Information
How did you hear about the RET:SHIFT program?
Will you need housing for the summer program? YES NO
Signature of Applicant: _____________________________________ Date: _______
(an electronic signature is fine if application is submitted by email)
Submit your application and letter of recommendation by January 23, 2015.
o Email submission is preferred.
o Letter of recommendation can be sent by email as well.
o Selection notices will be sent out in early February.
Contact Information:
Claudia Bode, PhD
The University of Kansas Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis
1501 Wakarusa Dr., Bldg A, Room 110; Lawrence, KS 66047-1803
FAX: 785-864-6051; Phone: 785-864-1647; E-mail; bode@ku.edu
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