Michigan State University has been awarded a three-year grant by the National Science Foundation to establish a first-of-its-kind Research Experiences for Teachers in Engineering Site program on Bio-Inspired Technology and Systems.
The NSF Engineering Research Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems, or WIMS, will co-host the RET site.
The RET site aims to train a cadre of leaders of middle and high school teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by engaging them in cutting-edge research in diverse areas, such as artificial muscles, robotic fish, biosensors, biomechanics, biofuels, digital evolution and biomolecular engineering.
“This in turn is expected to lead to the development of innovative curricula in biology, physics, chemistry and technology that excites precollege students and livens up classroom learning,” said Xiaobo Tan, assistant professor in MSU’s College of Engineering and lead on the project.
The site will partner with a number of schools in Michigan, including Holt Public Schools, Utica Community Schools and the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, and will work closely with industry leaders like Motorola, Consumers Energy and TechSmith.
"Working in an international environment actually helps you in the classroom,” said John Thon, a teacher at Holt Junior High School. “It prepares for making connections with kids with different learning styles as the dynamics of the United States."
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