Application Information for RET 2012
We are now accepting new applications: we want to hear from motivated science teachers!
Our RET Summer Program: this runs from June 25th through August 3rd 2012. This period may be extended by agreement with the program director and the faculty mentor.
Free UWM housing is available for interns who do not live within reasonable commuting distance from the UWM campus. RET interns using UWM Housing are asked to arrive on Sunday, June 24th; they must vacate UWM housing on or by Saturday, August 4th.
Summer participants receive a $9,600 stipend in three installments: $3,500 on each of July 16 and August 10, and $2,600 payable upon implementation of teaching project and in-person presentation at WSST annual meeting (in spring 2013). There is also a fund of $1500 for EACH intern to buy equipment to develop their project back in their school.
RET ARCC Program participants' $9600 stipend is paid on a monthly basis.
The application form is available below and should be submitted as soon as possible. Information about previous RET projects is available under "Classroom Activites" on the left. For general information about applying for the RET program, contact Dr Robert L. Wood. (Telephone 414-229-5303; Fax 414-229-5589; e-mail: chunnaic@uwm.edu)
How to Apply
1) The RET ARCC Program interns must live within commuting distance of the UWM campus and must be able to attend weekly evening meetings of the UWM Astronomy Club. Pre-certified teachers are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please contact Xavier Siemens at siemens@uwm.edu
The Teacher Mentor for this program is Kathy Gustavson, of Nicolet HS. She can offer advice to potential applicants. She can be contacted at Kathy_Gustavson@nicolet.k12.wi.us
2) RET Summer Program: interns will be recruited for summer programs in Astronomy (new for 2012!), Chemistry, and Physics. Recruitment of new interns will be limited to qualified, in-service science teachers in high schools or middle schools in the state of Wisconsin. Subject to the submission of suitable applications, at least two positions are available for applicants that live outside Southeastern Wisconsin with accommodations available in a UWM dormitory. The remaining applicants must live within reasonable commuting distance of the UWM campus.
The UWM faculty Research Mentors for the summer of 2012 are:
Astronomy: Dawn Erb, David Kaplan, and Xavier Siemens
Chemistry: Alexander Arnold, Kristen Murphy, Andy Pacheco, Eddy Tysoe, Alan Schwabacher, and Jorg Woehl
Geosciences: Shangping Xu (not available to new applicants in 2012)
Manfred Olson Planetarium: Jean Creighton (not available to new applicants in 2012)
Physics: Lian Li, Vali Raicu, and Marius Schmidt
The Teacher Mentors for this program are Kristin Michalski, of Mukwonago HS and Vanessa Parkinson, of James Madison Academic Campus. They can offer advice to potential applicants. Each can be contacted respectively at: michakr@mukwonago.k12.wi.us weissvi@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
To apply, you must:
- View the available research projects (this is a pdf download) and choose three you are most interested in. You will rank these on the following application form found in step two.
- Download, print, and FULLY COMPLETE the application form (this is a pdf download); mail the completed form to Dr Robert Wood (address provided on the form).
- Include an updated resume.
- If you are a Certified teacher, you must arrange (see page 10 of application form) for your principal to submit a detailed letter of support addressing the criteria listed on the application form. If you are a Pre-certified teacher, then you will need a letter of support from your Academic Advisor. Please note that brief, general letters of support that do not specifically address these criteria are of little use.