Focus group study examines benefits and challenges of summer STEM professional development for rural teachers, suggesting improved motivation and skills.
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.
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Felts et al. (2026) studied this question.
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