2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Strengthening STEM Instruction Through NSF TEACHER POWER RET with Hands-on Immersion Training in Semiconductor Electronics Research

Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session II

The TEACHER POWER Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program seeks to strengthen teacher capacity in engineering education by immersing middle and high school STEM teachers in authentic research experiences. The program is motivated by the growing national need to broaden participation in engineering and to better prepare K–12 educators to connect classroom instruction with real-world applications of engineering and technology. Prior research highlights the importance of sustained teacher engagement in research settings to improve STEM content knowledge, instructional practices, and student interest in engineering careers.

The TEACHER POWER RET program provides summer immersion experiences for teachers with follow-up academic year support to implement research-informed instructional modules in their classrooms. During Summer 2025, the first cohort of participating teachers engaged in multi-institutional collaborative semiconductor and electronic materials engineering-focused research projects with PIs, co-PIs, faculty mentors, graduate students, and undergraduate students. The design of the program emphasizes teacher integration into ongoing research, peer collaboration, and structured professional development sessions aimed at curriculum translation.

Preliminary findings from Cohort 1 suggest positive outcomes in teacher confidence, increased awareness of engineering practices in semiconductor workforce development, and the creation of classroom-ready instructional materials that reflect authentic problem-solving in electronic devices. Feedback from teachers also highlights the importance of community-building within the cohort and continued mentorship during the academic year. These early results are informing program adjustments as we prepare for Cohort 2 in Summer 2026.

This work will present an overview of the program design, highlight key lessons learned from Cohort 1, and share emerging impacts on teacher practice. We will also discuss strategies for scaling and sustaining teacher-focused RET programs in engineering education settings.

Authors

Dr. Leanne Petry http://orcid.org/0009-0004-9855-3590 Central State University [biography]

Dr. Leanne Petry is a Materials Engineer and Professor in the College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (CESTA) at Central State University (CSU). Her expertise includes analytical and materials characterization techniques, with research interests in sensors and electronic materials applications, corrosion mechanisms, electrochemical degradation, and forensic science. She is committed to providing research experiences for undergraduates and advancing STEM education for K–12 educators through Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) programs. Her work emphasizes workforce development and inspiring youth to pursue STEM degrees through high-impact, problem-based learning.
Prof. Henry Daniel Young http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9912-2320 Wright State University
Dr. Andrew Sarangan University of Dayton [biography]

Dr. Andrew Sarangan is a professor in the Electro-Optics Graduate Program at the University of Dayton. His current research is in the areas of photodetector technologies, polarimetric imaging, nanofabrication, nano-structured thin films and computational
Prof. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8419-3206 Central State University [biography]

Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh is a Professor of Physics at Central State University (CSU). His work spans theoretical and computational physics, with research interests in quantum few-body systems and two-dimensional semiconductor materials, using advanced numerical methods and high-performance computing. At CSU, he leads the Semiconductor Education & Research Program (SERP) and directs Intel- and NSF-supported initiatives that strengthen semiconductor education and workforce preparation through hands-on laboratory training, micro-credentials, and industry-aligned curricula and programs.
Dr. Ahsan Mian http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2033-6738 Wright State University [biography]

Ahsan Mian received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh, the M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, and the Ph.D. degree in
Dr. Augustus Morris Central State University [biography]

Dr. Augustus Morris is the Chair of the Manufacturing Engineering department at Central State University, Wilberforce, OH. He is also the Program Director of the NSF funded grant, Implementing Pathways for STEM Retention and Graduation (IPSRG). His rese
Dr. Marc M. Cahay University of Cincinnati
Dr. Elizabeth Generas [biography]

Dr. Elizabeth Generas is an external evaluator for education, healthcare, and social justice projects. Elizabeth performs evaluations for grant and accreditation related requirements, including proposals, logic models, assessments, and surveys (existing, validated and new, novel) in both qualitative and quantitative methods. She earned an EdD in Organizational Studies from Wright State University, which included a graduate certification in program evaluation.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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