The Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame offers a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program. The RET program immerses teachers in current research related to sustainable energy issues over the summer. Teachers collaborate with Notre Dame faculty and other RET participants. They develop new curricular materials based on their research experience to bring authentic science lessons back to their classrooms. The program provides benefits like stipends, continuing education credits, and opportunities for professional development.

1. Research Experience for Teachers
Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame
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2. Why Research Matters
“...experience in the practice of
science improves the quality and
authenticity of science teaching and
thereby increases student interest
and achievement in science.”
(Silverstein et. al, 2009)
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3. Why Research Matters
Common Teacher Experiences:
1. Treated as professionals
II. Challenged to think creatively.
III. Engaged in authentic contemporary
science problem solving.
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4. Why Research Matters
Experiences in Research Lead to:
I. Sharpened analytic and lab experiment
management skills.
II. Better communication of science
concepts and practices.
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5. RET at Notre Dame
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6. Benefits
• Current research immersion
• Collegial atmosphere
• Free Professional Development
• Stipend & Continuing Education Credit
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7. Specific Research Offerings
CO2 separation and utilization
Artificial photosynthesis/solar to fuels
Safer nuclear waste disposal
Biofuel production
Biological fuel cell technologies
Reduction of energy use in manufacturing
processes
Improved power grid technologies
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8. Focus of RET at ND
• Experiencing research within a lab setting
• Collaborating with ND faculty and other
RET participants
• Developing relevant and effective curricular
materials based upon summer experience.
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9. Case Study
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10. Reflect
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11. Refine
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12. Results Text
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