RET Site: Science and Mechatronics Aided Research for Teachers with an Entrepreneurship expeRience (SMARTER)

该奖项为纽约理工大学工程和计算机科学现场项目的教师研究经验（RET）提供为期三年的持续奖励，该项目名为“RET现场：具有创业经验的教师科学和机电一体化辅助研究（SMARTER）项目”，由Vikram Kapila博士指导。这是一个成功的3年RET站点项目的更新。smart项目将为来自纽约市公立学校的36名初中和高中在职教师（每年12名，为期三年）提供科学、技术、工程、数学和创业领域的专业发展机会。在项目的每一年，在Kapila博士和六名高级人员的指导下，12名教师将接受指导，并通过为期六周的暑期研讨会，在令人兴奋的机电一体化领域进行探究式、实践性的工程研究。涉及技术管理学院和创业与技术中心的合作活动将使教师能够了解创业，开展创新案例研究和影子企业家。该项目将通过加强教师的科学和数学技能而使他们受益；通过接触现实世界的工程研究来丰富他们的STEM经验；发展和磨练他们的研究技能；培养和保持创造、创新和创业特质；并提供与科技企业家建立联系的机会。此外，教师所在的学校将受益，因为参与者将能够为他们的学生提供大学水平的STEM学习奠定坚实的基础；将实践活动与课程内容和表现标准相结合；并指导学生参加“创新/发明”学生创意比赛。一项商业慈善合作将使教师的学生通过在初创科技企业的暑期实习获得真实的创业经验。该项目将成为促进文化变革的催化剂，将学生从单纯的技术消费者转变为新技术产品的创造者。

This award provides funding for a three year continuing award for a Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science Site Program at Polytechnic University of New York, entitled, RET Site: Science and Mechatronics Aided Research for Teachers with an Entrepreneurship expeRience (SMARTER) Program, under the direction of Dr. Vikram Kapila. This is a renewal of a successful 3 year RET Site program. The SMARTER program will provide a professional development opportunity to a total of 36 middle and high school in-service teachers (12 per year for three years) in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and entrepreneurship from the New York City Public Schools. During each year of the project, under the guidance of Dr. Kapila and six senior personnel, 12 teachers will receive mentoring and conduct inquiry-based, hands-on, engineering research in the exciting field of mechatronics through six-week long summer workshops. Collaborative activities involving Technology Management faculty and the Centers for Entrepreneurship and Technology will enable teachers to learn about entrepreneurship, conduct innovation case-studies, and shadow entrepreneurs. The project will benefit the teachers by reinforcing their science and math skills; enriching their STEM experience through exposure to real-world engineering research; developing and honing their research skills; cultivating and sustaining creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship traits; and providing opportunities to network with tech-entrepreneurs. Moreover, the teachers' schools will benefit since the participants will be able to provide their students with a solid foundation for college-level study in STEM; integrate hands-on activities with content and performance standards in curriculum; and mentor students to participate in an Inno/Vention student idea competition. A business-philanthropy partnership will allow teachers' students to gain real-world entrepreneurial experience through summer internships at start-up technology businesses. The project will serve as a catalyst to induce a cultural change that will transform students from being mere consumers of technology to becoming creators of novel technological products.