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Evaluating a Research Experience for Teachers: Benefits and Challenges for Summer STEM Professional Development.

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Title: Evaluating a Research Experience for Teachers: Benefits and Challenges for Summer STEM Professional Development.
Authors: Felts, Mark T.1 mfelts@ecok.edu, Tessman, Darcy2 dtessman@ecok.edu, Simpson, Emily3 esimpson@ecok.edu, Nanny, Mark4 nanny@ou.edu
Source: Rural Educator. Spring2026, Vol. 47 Issue 2, p56-67. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Teacher retention, *Rural education, *Curriculum, *Summer schools, *Academic motivation, *Teacher researchers, *Partnerships in education
Abstract: This focus group study examined the participant motivation for and potential impact of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program on rural STEM educators. Due to geographic isolation and low wages in rural areas, STEM teachers often engage in summer work, which provides practical, real-world applications of STEM principles and enhances instructional methods during the school year. By fostering university partnerships and providing summer research opportunities, RET aligns with the National Rural Research Agenda's (NREA) priorities of enhancing community relationships and bolstering teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. Findings indicate that participation in RET boosts teachers' curricular skills, professional networks, and motivation for STEM instruction, addressing key challenges identified by the NREA to support and retain qualified STEM educators in rural schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Rural Educator is the property of National Rural Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Evaluating a Research Experience for Teachers: Benefits and Challenges for Summer STEM Professional Development.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Rural+Educator%22">Rural Educator</searchLink>. Spring2026, Vol. 47 Issue 2, p56-67. 12p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+retention%22">Teacher retention</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rural+education%22">Rural education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum%22">Curriculum</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Summer+schools%22">Summer schools</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+motivation%22">Academic motivation</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+researchers%22">Teacher researchers</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Partnerships+in+education%22">Partnerships in education</searchLink>
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  Data: This focus group study examined the participant motivation for and potential impact of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program on rural STEM educators. Due to geographic isolation and low wages in rural areas, STEM teachers often engage in summer work, which provides practical, real-world applications of STEM principles and enhances instructional methods during the school year. By fostering university partnerships and providing summer research opportunities, RET aligns with the National Rural Research Agenda's (NREA) priorities of enhancing community relationships and bolstering teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. Findings indicate that participation in RET boosts teachers' curricular skills, professional networks, and motivation for STEM instruction, addressing key challenges identified by the NREA to support and retain qualified STEM educators in rural schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Rural Educator is the property of National Rural Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        StartPage: 56
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher retention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rural education
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum
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      – SubjectFull: Summer schools
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      – SubjectFull: Academic motivation
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher researchers
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              Text: Spring2026
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              Y: 2026
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