Teachers

• 1. Check Requirements
• 2. Select a Research Project
• 3. Prepare an Essay
• 4. Prepare a Resume
• 5. Secure Principal's Reference
• 6. Selection Process

1. Prepare and submit a letter of recommendation.

• Application Form
• Cover Letter / Resume Form
• Essay Form
• Reference Form
• Application Status

Highlights from '03

This program is suspended until further notice. The RAMHSS and RET components were canceled in 2004 and we don't anticipate restoring them by 2005.

Established in 1910, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is home to over 200 professional natural history scientists, the largest group of scientists dedicated to the study of the natural and cultural history in the world.

Much of our research is based on our collections, that total over 125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human artifacts.

The collections provide essential evidence for much of what we know about the world around us, including knowledge about changes in the earth and climate, plants and animals and their evolutionary history, and human origins and culture. 

To learn more about the National Museum of Natural History visit our web site at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu

The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is an opportunity for teachers to spend five weeks during the month of July participating in the research activities with a Smithsonian scientist.

Teachers will partner with a Smithsonian scientist to investigate a natural history research topic as well as participate in a series of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and field trips.

The goals of the RET program (ref: NSF 02-090) are to establish long-term collaborative, mutually rewarding relationships between researchers and classroom science teachers, targeting high school teachers from inner city schools and less well endowed school districts. The hope is to bring new insight into the daily classroom by providing a research opportunity for those teachers who have not had any prior experience and to provide sustained follow-up interaction between the host mentor and supported teacher and their classroom. Funding is from the biological sciences with emphasis on projects within this scientific arena.

The RET at the Smithsonian initiative will be hosted at the National Museum of Natural History in partnership with our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, called the Research Training Program (RTP). Many events will be shared between programs and teachers will have regular interaction with the undergraduate students participating in the RTP

For more information about the Research Training Program visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/

DURATION: 5 weeks (plus registration day)

DATES: The program has been suspended.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: No longer accepting applications.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: None.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must be currently employed middle school or high school teachers returning next year to a classroom setting as a full-time teacher.
• Applicants selected to join the Smithsonian program must commit to participation in the full 5 week program.

AWARD PACKAGE: Although contingent upon securing funding to support the initiative, we anticipate providing teachers selected to participate in the program a stipend of $200 per day covering the 25 days of the session - totaling $5,000. In addition, teachers will have the opportunity to apply for up to $1,000 to support the purchase of items to bring their summer research experiences back to their classroom.

Smithsonian scientists interested in hosting a teacher will review the application documents from teachers who selected their project.

Although they are not obligated to do so, scientists have the option to request a telephone interview with finalist candidates or even request an on-site, in person interview before making their final selection.

Scientists will select the one teacher they are most interested in working with.