This Research Experience for Teachers Renewal Site, hosted by Montana State University in collaboration with Purdue University, addresses a critical national need: preparing a skilled STEM workforce by starting with our youngest learners. In many rural and American Indian reservation communities, elementary teachers often lack the training and confidence to teach engineering concepts - especially in ways that reflect the cultural backgrounds of their students. This gap limits students’ early exposure to engineering and their ability to see themselves in STEM careers. To bridge this gap, this MSU RET Renewal Site offers a unique, hands-on summer research experience for elementary teachers from Montana’s rural and American Indian reservation communities. Over three years, at least two dozen teachers will participate in a six-week program where they will work alongside university researchers on real-world energy challenges - such as renewable energy systems, sustainable materials, and fluid dynamics. These experiences are paired with professional development in culturally inclusive teaching practices, curriculum design, and relevant industry and community field trips. The project’s focus on energy, a topic of both regional and global importance, makes science and engineering relevant and accessible to students. Teachers will develop classroom-ready, culturally responsive lessons that connect energy concepts to students’ lives and communities. These lessons will be shared widely through open-access platforms, multiplying the project’s impact. By empowering teachers, this project helps all students, and especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, form positive STEM identities early in life. This is essential for building a more inclusive and innovative future workforce. The project also strengthens partnerships among schools, universities, industry, and Indigenous communities, creating a sustainable ecosystem of support for STEM education.
Energy, Engineering, Indigenous, STEM Education, Research Experiences
Eligibility (Must-Haves): Applicants must be pre- or in-service K–5* teachers serving in Montana’s rural or reservation communities, committed to a six-week summer research experience and academic year follow-up.** Applicants must submit an online application with supervisor support and articulating motivation for participation.*** *Teachers outside K-5 (6-14) will be considered if applicant pool requires. **Six-week program will accommodate holidays and family schedules. ***RET alumni will be considered if applicant pool requires. Strong Candidate Traits (Nice-to-Haves): Ideal candidates are open to collaborative curriculum development, familiar with NGSS, IEFA, 5E, and UDL frameworks, and interested in energy-related engineering research. Experience with technology integration and STEM outreach is a plus but certainly not a must.
