RET APPLICATION

RET Application

To apply, download, and complete the following application. Email the completed application to ret@chem.byu.edu by February 28, 2024.

2023 Dates: 10 consecutive weeks during the summer term, based on the candidate’s school schedule

Beginning and ending dates may be flexible for RET participants.

Overview: This RET site will provide you with the opportunity to spend 10 weeks performing research in a state-of-the-art chemistry or biochemistry lab of your choice. The dates for your participation are somewhat flexible depending on your school and district work schedule, but should occur during the summer and be consecutive.

Your research project will address a challenge related to the chemistry and biochemistry industries. Descriptions of the projects in individual research labs can be found above on the Research Labs tab. In addition to your lab research, you will spend about 15-20% of your time translating your research into an experiment you can use in your classroom.

• Teachers who have at least five years of experience teaching chemistry are eligible to apply. 
• RET participants are highly encouraged to return for a second summer of research.

Goals of the RET program:

• Provide K-12 teachers with chemistry research experiences on industrially relevant problems.
• Expose teachers to grand challenges and careers in industry so they can use that information to inspire their future students.
• Help teachers translate their research experiences to classroom experiments and activities.

Program requirements:

• Conduct an independent research project in chemistry or biochemistry under the direction of a BYU faculty mentor.
• Develop an experiment for high school chemistry based on your research project and aligned with the principles of the Next Generation Science Standards.
• In your second summer, adapt an experiment for the BYU Chem Camp, for youth ages 9-14, and train counselors to lead that experiment at camp.
• Attend visits to chemical and biochemical companies, and workshops on grand challenges in chemistry and biochemistry.
• Present your research or new experiment at a national or regional chemistry or chemical education conference.
• Publish your research or new experiment in a peer-reviewed journal.

You will receive:

• A $6,000 stipend
• BYU graduate credit, if desired (send email to ret@chem.byu.edu for details)
• A housing allowance, if you must relocate to participate in the program.

Honor Code: All teachers are welcome at BYU. You are required to commit to living the honor code during your time here. The honor code provides an extremely safe and enjoyable atmosphere. More information can be found at http://honorcode.byu.edu/.