Are you a STEM educator interested in bringing real-world science or technology into your classroom? Through our 2023 Teacher-in-Residence program, five Cape Cod Regional STEM educators can receive a $1,000 stipend to complete a two-week externship with a STEM-rich institution and create a curriculum unit for your classroom based on your experience. Teachers will also receive $500 towards a field trip to support their curriculum unit in the 2023 - 2024 school year.

Cape Cod STEM Network is excited to open our application to teachers. Deadline to apply for Summer 2023 is April 1, 2023. The teachers selected will be notified by mid-April. Please review the questions below for more information, and contact Rachel Dragos at events@capecodstemnetwork.org with any questions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any teacher that teaches science, technology, engineering, or math K-12 in the Cape Cod region (Cape Cod, Islands, Plymouth, Wareham) is eligible to apply.

How will applicants be selected?

Our goal is to create partnerships between science institutions and teachers. Priority will be given to teachers from under-represented minority populations in STEM or those who teach a majority of students in URM populations. Availability of host sites may also affect selection. We seek to promote a range of STEM interests, age groups, and locations through the teachers selected to participate in the program.

Where will my externship take place?

Teachers are matched with host sites based on their interests, goals, and availability. Host sites are available for a range of STEM interests. Host sites have accommodated STEM interests ranging from ecology to advanced manufacturing. Previous host sites include Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Smithers Viscient, SenCorp White, Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids (OPAK), Teledyne Marine, The Atlantic White Shark Conservatory.

What will my day-to-day look like during my two week externship?

The day-to-day of the externship will be established with your host site. However, the goal is that teachers spend at least one week of the program immersed in doing science or engineering alongside professionals. Teachers should expect to work full days for at least one week. During the second week of the program, teachers will shift priority to creating and finishing their curriculum unit. The curriculum unit may be created while at the host site or remotely, as applicable.

Do I need to know what curriculum unit I want to make in order to apply?

Applicants do not need to have a curriculum unit in mind to apply. Curriculum units may be developed during or after the externship or in partnership with host institutions.

What if I am interested in the program, but not sure what kind of externship is best for me? Consider reaching out to STEM Program Coordinator, Rachel Dragos, and set up a time to chat. Based on your STEM teaching and knowledge of potential partners, she might have ideas for possible areas of interest or even potential host sites. Contact Rachel at events@capecodstemnetwork.org.

What if I already have summer plans or want to make summer plans?

Teachers will need two consecutive weeks that they can spend at their externship, but exact dates can be determined with the hosting institution. Teachers with summer commitments are encouraged to apply; when the teacher, hosting institution, and CCRSN work together they can often come up with a schedule that works for all parties involved.

Are there any pre- or post-externship training dates or commitments?

An orientation will take place before the externship. Teachers can expect at least one follow-up meeting in the fall. These pre- and post- meetings will take place on Zoom or in-person, depending on the interest and availability of the teachers involved. After the Teacher-in-Residence externship is complete, teachers will be invited to join the CCRSN Teacher-in-Residence Community which seeks to increase experiential and relevant learning in STEM classrooms in the region.

I am not a teacher, but work at a local business or nonprofit that would be interested in working with a teacher this summer. How can I get involved?

Cape Cod Regional STEM Network is always interested in expanding our list of possible hosts for teachers. Contact Rachel at events@capecodstemnetwork.org to get involved.