NSF Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing RET Program
2026 Summer NSF-NOIC Glass Manufacturing RET
June 8 - 26, 2026
BGSU - College of Engineering and Innovation received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium (NOIC) to increase interest in glass manufacturing. The funding will pay selected high school educators who currently teach STEM subjects for participating in a three-week summer program.
Twelve selected program participants will:
- Receive a $3,000 stipend (paid at end of program).
- Receive a one-time $200 stipend to defray travel expenses (paid at end of program).
- Receive lunch and snacks.
- Engage in a research project with faculty mentors and graduate students.
- Attend research presentations, curriculum development workshops, and an industry tour.
- Develop an instructional module to teach a topic related to glass manufacturing.
- Receive funds to purchase supplies and equipment to implement developed instructional module.
- Receive Ohio Professional Development verification of Participation for LPDC Approval.
Program applicant requirements:
- Educators who currently teach high school STEM subjects.
- Available to commit to three weeks summer 2026 (June 8 – 26, 2026), Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.
- Completed Application, resume and one letter of recommendation from your principal.
- Committed to implementing an instructional module in the following academic year.
What is the RET program?
The NSF and NOIC funded Research Experience for Teachers (RET) at Bowling Green State University is a three-six week summer program for high school and community college STEM educators designed to:
- Engage educators in hands-on research
- Increase interest in STEM-related fields
- Enhance teaching through real-world applications in robotics and advanced manufacturing
- Support the development of instructional modules to bring cutting-edge STEM content into classrooms
The program typically takes place in June and July, for three-six weeks, Monday through Friday 9am-5pm.
2026 Participating educators will:
- Collaborate with BGSU faculty and graduate students on research projects.
- Attend curriculum development workshops, research presentations and industry tours.
- Design and implement a classroom-ready instructional module based on their research.
- Receive Ohio Professional Development verification for LPDC approval.
- $3,000 stipend paid at the end of the program
- $200 travel stipend paid at the end of the program. (Participants must arrange their own housing.)
- Lunch and snacks provided during on-campus days
- Supplies and equipment to support classroom implementation
2026 Applicants Must Be:
- Current high school or community college educators teaching STEM subjects.
- Available from June 8-26, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (on campus).
- Committed to implementing the instructional module in the following academic year
Twelve high school educators will be selected for the program.
- Online application (see link above)
- Resume or CV
- One letter of reference from a school administrator (principal or superintendent
- Submit the online application (see link above).
- Submit all required documents by April 15.
- The RET team will review application materials and evaluate whether you meet program requirements and criteria.
- We also consider whether educators are eligible to work in the U.S. and whether they:
- Teach STEM subjects.
- We will notify all applicants of decisions in mid-April.
Updated: 03/25/2026 02:22PM