RET: Teachers As Researchers in Computing Classrooms (TARCC) 2026

Overview

This RET site, Teachers As Researchers in Computing Classrooms (TARCC), is an NSF-funded program designed to enhance high school students' computer science (CS) literacy by providing K-12 STEM educators from eastern Minnesota (Twin Cities east metro included) and western Wisconsin with hands-on research experiences. Educators can collaborate with university faculty on interdisciplinary projects in Artificial Intelligence (AI), bioinformatics, high-performance computing, machine learning, and other CS topics. The program equips teachers with innovative pedagogical approaches, empowering them to modernize CS education and to inspire students to pursue CS and STEM careers. In the summer of 2026, we will host up to 16 high school STEM teachers for an intensive seven-week research experience. Participants will work closely with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects, exploring how computational thinking can transform high school computing education. Through professional development, collaborative research, and reflective teaching practices, these educators will gain practical skills to integrate modern CS topics into their classrooms, helping to close the gaps in computing education across the region. The Summer 2026 program will take place from the first part of June to the end of July with breaks in the middle. Applications will be due in stages starting January 16 and ending March 30, 2026. We welcome multiple applications from the same school so that you can form cohorts that can work together. Participants in this RET program will receive a stipend ($10,000). Field trips will be arranged for participant educators. We will cover travel costs for conference presentations on research outcomes from the summer.