The National Science Foundation Division of Engineering Education and Centers awarded East Central University $216,262 on December 1, 2026, under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to support a three-year Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) site serving distant-rural STEM teachers in Oklahoma.
The award funds a collaborative program between East Central University in Ada and the University of Oklahoma designed to provide hands-on polymer engineering research experiences and professional development to 24 middle and high school STEM teachers from rural Oklahoma communities located beyond reasonable commuting distance from a major research university. Each summer over three years, participating teachers will spend six weeks on the OU-Norman campus conducting real-world research projects alongside OU engineering faculty and graduate students, focusing on polymers and their applications in agriculture, food storage, water systems, construction, and healthcare. Teachers will develop STEM lessons tailored to rural student populations through team-based lesson development with educators and peer-teachers. East Central University will support the program through a lending library providing scientific equipment to distant-rural schools, addressing the severe challenges these communities face—including limited access to research opportunities, professional development, and scientific equipment.
The period of performance runs from December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2029, with place of performance in Ada, Oklahoma. The obligated amount is $216,262.