Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Workshop:

Modern Approaches to High School Chemistry Instruction through today’s Sustainability Challenges

The NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) will be offering a PAID three-day workshop at the University of Minnesota for high school chemistry teachers on green chemistry and other sustainabilty focused topics. The workshop was developed through the University of Minnesota MRSEC Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program. Applicants from across the Midwest are welcome.

Participants will gain hands-on experience with safer, cost-effective labs that minimize waste and are drop-in replacements for traditional secondary chemistry labs. Topics such as bioplastics, design engineering, biomimicry, climate change, and commercial products from renewables will be explored demonstrating relevance to societal needs. Participants will partner with the workshop instructors and one another to develop or modify experiments for use in their classroom. Upon returning to their respective schools during the academic year, participants commit to implement at least two experiments or lessons that they explored or developed at the workshop in their classrooms.

• $300.00 stipend
• Two graduate level credits from the Colorado School of Mines (optional)
• Classroom Supplies
• Housing and Parking costs paid for traveling participants
• Lunch provided daily



Workshop Facilitators

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Jane Wissinger
UMN Chemistry (retired)








Cassie Lydon
White Bear Lake High School








Cassie Javner
Richfield Public Schools




Important Dates

• Workshop dates, June 16-18, 2025
• Application deadline, TDB

Application

Questions?

For questions contact
mrsecehr@umn.edu

Funded by the National Science Foundation through the University of Minnesota MRSEC under Award Number DMR-2011401