About NEET
NEET is a joint effort by Rice University, Arizona State University, The University of Texas at El Paso, Yale University, and The Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT: The first national center to develop next-generation water treatment systems enabled by nanotechnology). The aim is to enable access to suitable water almost anywhere in the world by developing high performance, easy-to deploy systems for drinking water and industrial wastewater treatment systems enable by nanotechnology.
In collaboration with NEWT, the Rice Office of STEM Engagement offers NanoEnvironmental Engineering for Teachers, which is designed to serve:
- K-12 STEM teachers
- Environmental Science/Systems Teachers
- Life Sciences Teachers
- Engineering/Maker space teachers
NEET will take place at Rice University with support from NEWT, R-STEM, UTEP, ASU, Yale staff and faculty.
The program culminates in an engineering design showcase that provides teachers with a unique opportunity to present their semester engineering projects to their peers, school administrators and NEWT members. The showcase served to help develop the teacher’s scientific communication skills. Each group creates an engineering poster designed at a level that should excite the students in their classroom and inspire interest in engineering. Each will explain the problem they addressed, a detailed explanation of their design, a test of the design, possible modifications, limitations and overall impact.
NEET Benefits
The purpose of the program is to increase the content knowledge of educators and to empower them in implementing rigorous project-based engineering activities on the topic of water sustainability in the classroom.
NEET Goals:
- Think reflectively and critically about current teaching practices.
- Improve teachers' understanding of advanced placement and state standards.
- Facilitate the transformation of teacher practice through the exploration of best practices in educational pedagogy.
- Disseminate NEWT research conducted at Rice University, Arizona State University, The University of Texas at El Paso and Yale University.
- Support NEET participants in the application of Problem-Based Learning and engineering practices.
NEET has helped me to create an environment where students think outside the box. They ask more questions and have become more inventive.
Spring 2025 NEET Program*
Participation in NEET includes attending the spring sessions and presenting in the NEET Showcase. Program dates and other program expectations are listed below.
- Spring Training
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Participants are required to attend regular Thursday evening classes and the final NEET Showcase.
January 16th - February 20th, 2025 on Thursdays from 6-9p.m. and (3) Saturdays from 8:30a.m. - 2:30p.m. on the following dates:
- 3/1
- 3/29
- 4/12
- NEET Showcase
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April 24, 2025
Rice University Campus - Applications
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Space is limited. Completing the application process does not guarantee placement in the program.
NEET is for current:
- K-12 STEM teachers
- Environmental Science/Systems Teachers
- Life Sciences Teachers
- Engineering/Maker space teachers
Held at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Once the NEET program reaches capacity, all future applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
Applicants are required to submit a signed Participant Acknowledgement Letter with their application. By signing the PAL, the applicant agrees to participate in the spring 2025 training. If you are unable to upload the form to your application, email the document to stem@rice.edu.
Application Deadline: Friday, December 6, 2024
*Due to the funding source for this program, participants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent residents.
- Benefits and Expectations
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NEET Expectations
Attending and participating in all training sessions from Rice.
Attending and participating in the April NEET Showcase.
NEET Expectations:
- Attending and participating in all training sessions from Rice.
- Attending and participating in the April NEET Showcase.
- Participating and completing group projects.
- Timely completion and submission of all course assignments and homework.
Benefits of Program Completion:
- $750 stipend
- Materials
- 45 hours of sustained and supported professional development at Rice University and Project-Based Learning.
- Six hours of G/T professional development credit, subject to principal approval.
- Three hours of graduate credit from Rice University (available upon special application plus a $150 registration fee).
- New strategies to engage high school students in water sustainability.
- Lectures from NEWT faculty on cutting-edge Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment research.
- Opportunities for student campus and lab tours.
- Program Flyer
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Below is a copy of the NEWT NEET flyer. Download a PDF version of the flyer here.
NEET Administration
Contact the program lead if you have any questions about the program.
Mariana Quinn
Assistant Director for Science Education
713-348-8266 | mq10@rice.edu
*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation subject to change before the first day of the program.
Office of STEM Engagement
Contact Information
Telephone: (713) 348-8211
Fax: (713) 348-3825
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
stem@rice.edu
Mailing Address
Office of STEM Engagement
Rice University
P.O. Box 1892, MS-7836
Houston, TX 77251-1892
Street Address
IBC Plaza Houston
5615 Kirby Dr., Suite 730
Houston, TX 77005-2445