Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

Overview

The CS3 Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program offers a valuable opportunity for K-12 STEM educators to engage in hands-on research within the context of smart streetscapes. This program aligns with CS3's commitment to fostering a deep understanding of technology and engineering concepts among educators. RET participants work closely with CS3 researchers from Columbia University and Lehman College, gaining firsthand experience in cutting-edge projects related to smart streetscapes and urban technology.

In addition to hands-on research experience, the program includes personal and professional development workshops and seminars focused on student-centered pedagogy in the classroom, as well as community-impact driven research. Participants engage in the program for roughly 20 hours a week.

Teachers are paid a stipend of $5,000 for their participation.

Summer 2025 applications will open on January 27, 2025 and close on April 30, 2025.

RET Course Materials

RET Lesson Plans

Application

Learn the fundamentals of streetscape technology: Teachers attend a presentation at Columbia University by Professor Roxana Geambasu, CS3 Lead of Research Thrust 3 on Security, Privacy, and Fairness.

Participate in multi-level mentorship: Teachers collaborate on research projects with engineers and sociologists from Columbia University and Lehman College, as well as other STEM educators.

Success: Teachers present their research findings and celebrate their four weeks of hard work!

Program Goals

Receive training in the fundamentals of smart streetscape technology through real-time, hyper-local streetscape applications built on advancements in edge-cloud technology, wireless-optical engineering, visual analytics, and computer security.

Gain background and firsthand experience in the design, methods, and analysis of research associated with engineering.

Acquire tools, experiences, and ongoing relationships with engineers, sociologists, and fellow STEM educators that will enable them to share with their students the latest developments in smart city technology and inspire students to learn more about STEM career paths.

Learn methods to implement student-centered pedagogy in the classroom to better serve students.

Program Details

Four-week session (July 14 - Aug. 8, 2025)
20 hours per week
In-person sessions hosted at the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3) on Columbia University's Manhattanville Campus
Teachers receive a $5,000 stipend to support them over the summer.
Teacher Responsibilities:
- Attend all summer program activities
- Design and implement a lesson plan based on CS3 research within a classroom with grade 6-12 students during the academic year following the summer program
- Complete research project, final presentation, and report
- Complete a program assessment survey

Eligibility

Must be math or science certified
U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents
Must teach at a public middle or high school located in NYC; strong preference for teachers at Harlem schools
Must receive endorsement by the school administration

Application Requirements

Completed application form
One reference letter from your school administration (submitted via application)
Current resume (submitted via application)
Completed personal statement (submitted via application)
Summer 2025 applications will open on January 27, 2025 and close on April 30, 2025.