A joint effort by Rice University, Arizona State University, The University of Texas at El Paso and Yale University, the Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment is the first national center to develop next-generation water treatment systems enabled by nanotechnology. The aim is to enable access to suitable water almost anywhere in the world by developing high performance, easy-to deploy systems for drinking water and industrial wastewater treatment systems enable by nanotechnology.
NEET takes place in the Greater Houston, TX area; Greater El Paso, TX area; New Haven, CT; and the Greater Phoenix, AZ area with support from NEWT, R-STEM, UTEP, ASU, Yale staff and faculty.
The program culminates in an engineering design showcase that provides teachers with a unique opportunity to present their semester engineering projects to their peers, school administrators and NEWT members. The showcase served to help develop the teacher’s scientific communication skills. Each group creates an engineering poster designed at a level that should excite the students in their classroom and inspire interest in engineering. Each will explain the problem they addressed, a detailed explanation of their design, a test of the design, possible modifications, limitations and overall impact.
NEET Benefits
The purpose of the program is to increase the content knowledge of educators and to empower them in implementing rigorous project-based engineering activities on the topic of water sustainability in the classroom. The goals of NEET are to:
- Think reflectively and critically about current teacher practices;
- Improve secondary teachers’ understanding of advanced placement and state standards;
- Facilitate the transformation of teacher practice through the exploration of best practices in educational pedagogy;
- Disseminate NEWT research conducted at Rice University, Arizona State University (ASU), The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and Yale University; and
- Support NEET participants in the application of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and engineering practices.
Spring 2023 NEET Program*
Participation in NEET includes attending the spring sessions and presenting in the NEET Showcase. Program dates and other program expectations are listed below.
NEET Schedule
Participants are required to attend regular Thursday evening classes and the final NEET Showcase.
SPRING TRAINING | NEET SHOWCASE |
|---|---|
Thursdays | January 9–April 21, 2023 Arizona State University: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. MST The University of Texas at El Paso: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. MDT Rice University: 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. CT Yale University: 7:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. There will be no classes during Spring Break week, March 11, 2023. | April 21, 2023 |
NEET Expectations
Attending and participating in all training sessions from Rice, ASU, UTEP and Yale.
Attending and participating in the April NEET Showcase.
NEET Expectations:
- Attending and participating in all training sessions from Rice, ASU, UTEP and Yale.
- Attending and participating in the April NEET Showcase*.
- Participating and completing group projects.
- Timely completion and submission of all course assignments and homework.
Benefits of Program Completion:
- $750 stipend
- Materials
- 45 hours of sustained and supported professional development at Rice University, UTEP, Yale University, or ASU in Engineering Design and Project-Based Learning.
- Six hours of G/T professional development credit, subject to principal approval.
- Three hours of graduate credit from Rice University (available upon special application plus a $150 registration fee).
- New strategies to engage high school students in water sustainability.
- Lectures from NEWT faculty on cutting-edge Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment research.
- Opportunities for student campus and lab tours.
APPLICATION
Space is limited. Completing the application process does not guarantee placement in the program.
NEET is for current:
- AP Environmental Science teachers
- Environmental Systems teachers
- Biology teachers
- Life Sciences teachers
Located in Houston, TX; Greater El Paso, TX; Greater Phoenix, AZ and New Haven, CT areas.
Teachers* from these areas who do not teach one of these subjects are welcome to apply but will not receive priority consideration.
Once the NEET program reaches capacity, all future applicants will be placed on a wait list.
Applicants are required to submit a signed Participant Acknowledgement Letter with their application. By signing the PAL, applicant agree to participate in the spring 2023 training.
If you are unable to upload the form to your application, email the document to stem@rice.edu.
Christina Alston, M.S.Ed.
Associate Director for Equitable Research, Evaluation and Grant Development
713-348-4761 | cc45@rice.edu
*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation subject to change before the first day of the program.