This talk will discuss outreach efforts in the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron (UA) with K-12 educators focused on Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) conducted in partnership with the Akron Global Polymer Academy (AGPA). The UA RET program was designed to expose teachers to polymer research and education through individual research projects in participating faculty members’ laboratories and supporting professional development activities on polymer science and engineering. From this experience, the RET participants develop individual lesson plans based on their research activity, which can be implemented in their home classroom. This talk will discuss the structure of the RET site, efforts to develop and assess impactful lesson plans, and lesson learned through the past three years. An overview of the broader outreach program at the AGPA will also be presented.<br/>

Research experience for teachers program in polymers at the University of Akron: Activities, assessment, and best practices

251st National Meeting (2016)

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