The Research Symposium for Teachers is an annual symposium open to K-12 teachers, instructional staff, and administrators. The symposium seeks to bridge ongoing research with the K-12 classroom, making STEM research accessible. Current interns taking part in Research Experience for Teachers (RET) present their findings and how their specific projects can be incorporated into the classroom.
The symposium also includes notable guest speakers and workshop sessions to give attendees opportunities to experience K-12 level lessons based on research conducted by RETs during their fellowship.
2024 Research Symposium for Teachers
The 2024 Engineering Research Symposium for Teachers is open to K-12 teachers, instructional staff, and administrators interested in bringing engineering research concepts into their schools. Participants will hear from guest speakers and learn about current RET research projects. There will also be engineering workshop breakout sessions during the symposium. Participants will be asked to select which workshops they plan to attend at the time of registration.
Save the date for this year's symposium; July 19, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This event has a $25 registration fee to attend.
- Dates and Time
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July 19, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rice University
BioScience Research Collaborative6500 Main St, Houston, TX 77030
Houston, TX 77005This event will take place in person at Rice University.
- Tentative Schedule
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8:30 - 9:00AM: Breakfast + Check-in
9:00 - 9:15AM: Welcome - Matthew Cushing
9:15 - 9:50AM: Guest Speaker: Dr. Pedro Alvarez
9:50 - 10:35AM: Galley Walk 1
10:35 - 10:45AM: Break
10:45 - 11:50AM: Breakout Sessions
11:50AM - 12:50PM: LUNCH
12:50 - 1:35PM: Gallery Walk 2
1:35 - 1:45PM: Break
1:45 - 2:10PM: Closing speaker + giveaways - Guest Speakers
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Dr. Pedro Alvarez
George R. Brown Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Member NAE
Director, NEWT Center
Director, Rice WaTER Institute - Workshops
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To Infinity and Beyond: The Amazing Hydrogels: Participants will dive into the fascinating world of hydrogels through the lens of chelation—a type of bonding of ions and molecules to metal ions. This workshop will provide the necessary background to understand the ionic crosslinking process used to create hydrogels. Participants will learn how to make a simple hydrogel that can be designed or modified with different compounds. By the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to explain the chelation of a polymer using the ionic crosslinking process, which involves exchanging a monovalent metal (Na+1) with a divalent metal (Ca+2). Additionally, they will create their own hydrogel and explore its various applications. This hands-on experience will empower participants with a comprehensive understanding of hydrogels and their potential uses.
Bouncing Precision: In this study, participants will investigate the dynamics of bouncing a ball from a certain height, exploring the relationship between the height of each bounce and the coefficient of restitution. Through mathematical analysis and experimental validation, participants will derive a formula that accurately predicts the height of the ball after each bounce. Participants findings will provide valuable insights into the mechanics of bouncing and offer practical applications for understanding the behavior of bouncing objects.
Learning about Food Webs and Human Impacts: This workshop will engage participants in describing a food web and understanding human impacts on the cycle of life. A mini lesson will be presented on the components of the food web for a particular species. Participants will gain knowledge on how to create a food web using recyclable materials.
Coding and AI for Young Learners: This workshop provides participants with an opportunity to explore and experiment with strategies and technologies for teaching elementary students about coding and artificial intelligence. Coding and AI projects will be presented, allowing teachers to try them and reflect on which ones would work best for their students. Participants will gain knowledge of different strategies and projects that make learning about coding and AI accessible and engaging for young learners.
Symposium Administration
If you have any questions about the Research Symposium for Teachers, you may contact the program leads.
Isaias Cerda
Associate Director for Science Education & English Language Learners
713-348-3197 | ic19@rice.edu
Melissa Mason
R-STEM, Assistant Director of Secondary STEM
713-348-7926 | mm221@rice.edu
Mariana Quinn
Associate Director for Science Education
713-348-8266 | mq10@rice.edu
Brittany Templeton
Assistant Director for Computer Science and Mathematics
713-348-8218 | bt36@rice.edu
This work was supported by NSF awards #EEC1449500 and #EEC1406885. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.