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Research Experience for Teachers (MAR-RET) Site Modern AI-Powered Robotics Program

The Research Experience for Teachers (MAR-RET) site funded by the National Science Foundation offers a unique opportunity for high school and community college educators to engage in a six-week summer program. The program aims to increase teacher participants' knowledge of modern robotics and autonomy, impact STEM curriculum, and create a lasting pipeline for modern robotics education and workforce development.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the MAR-RET site are:

1. To increase teacher participants' knowledge of modern robotics and autonomy as the new industrial revolution.
2. To impact/revamp 9-12 and community college STEM curriculum using modern robotics through curriculum development and direct engagement with Colorado School of Mines faculty and students.
3. To create a lasting pipeline for modern robotics education and workforce development actively engaged with industry in the Denver metro area.

Program Details

• The funding will pay ten selected high school or community college educators who currently teach STEM subjects to participate in the six-week summer program.
• The program will take place from June 8 July 24, 2026, excluding the July 4th week.
• Participants will receive a $6,000 stipend paid at the end of the program.
• Participants will also receive a modern robot platform to implement developed instructional modules during the following academic year.
• The program includes engagement in a research project with faculty mentors and graduate students, attendance at research presentations, curriculum development workshops, and industry tours.
• Participants will develop an instructional module to teach a topic related to their research.

Program Participant Eligibility & Requirements

• Educators currently teaching high school or community college STEM subjects are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be available and willing to commit to six weeks from June 8 July 24, 2026, excluding the July 4th week, Monday Friday, 9 am-5 pm on campus at Colorado School of Mines.
• Applicants must be committed to implementing the instructional module during the following academic year.
• A completed application, including optional documents, is required.
• One letter of reference is required.

Other Considerations

• Educators teaching STEM subjects at high schools or community colleges in marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.
• High school or community college educators teaching STEM subjects to marginalized students are also encouraged to apply.
• Marginalized high school or community college educators teaching STEM subjects are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Program Selection Process

• The RET team will review application materials to determine qualified applicants.
• The RET team will conduct a phone interview with selected qualified applicants.
• Applicants will be evaluated based on program requirements and criteria.
• Applicants will be notified by June 1, 2026.

Topics Covered

Example topics include:

• Perception module for color tracking, object tracking, face recognition; this includes camera-based and lidar-based
• Speech analysis and communication module for voice control, speech recognition
• Autonomous navigation simultaneously localization and mapping for autonomous navigation

Key Dates

• Deadline to apply: May 30, 2026 (Applications submitted by March 30th, 2026, will be prioritized for early acceptance.)
• Acceptance notification: June 1, 2026
• Program dates: June 8 July 24, 2026 (excluding the July 4th week)