The Research Experiences for Teachers (BIORETS) program at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, located in Millbrook, NY, will support 9 teachers for 6 weeks during the summer and an additional 13 days during the academic year. Through collaborative research projects and professional development activities that promote reflection, teamwork, and teacher leadership, the Cary BIORETS program aims to enhance teacher capacity to build the ecological knowledge of their students and increase their proficiency with science practices.
This program will cultivate and support teacher leadership that extends its impact beyond the immediate confines of participating teachers' classrooms. Each teacher will produce instructional materials and contribute to an education publication based on their research and teaching experiences. They will have the opportunity to attend regional or national conferences and be supported in conducting workshops within their schools to share their innovative curricula and other knowledge generated from their BIORETS experience.
Although the formal program lasts for one year, our program will establish a lasting connection between teachers and scientists committed to promoting ecological literacy locally and nationwide.
Through the Cary BIORETS program teachers will:
- Increase their knowledge of ecology
- Develop their skills in conducting original research, including research design, implementation, and data analysis
- Increase their knowledge of effective pedagogy and curriculum design for building ecological and data literacy
- Be part of a collaborative community of middle and high school teachers, scientists and educational researchers.
Cary BIORETS includes:
- Six weeks of collaborative summer research in the field of ecology
- Three virtual school-year follow up sessions to support implementation of new curriculum
- A culminating in-person, two-day writing workshop to support teachers in publishing their work
- Mentorship by Cary Scientists
- Collaborative professional learning opportunities
- Support to present at a regional conference or national conference
- Funding for purchasing classroom materials
Questions?
Contact Rebecca Van Tassell, BIORETS Program Coordinator, at vantassellr@caryinstitute.org
Program details
Teachers who are eligible:
- Work as a middle or high school teacher in a STEM field (including biology, Earth science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, engineering)
- Have worked in a classroom for at least one year
- Have an interest in increasing your and your students’ ecological literacy
- Be able to commit to the entirety of the program, including teaching new curriculum materials
We are particularly interested in teachers who:
- Work with historically marginalized and underserved students
- Work in under-resourced schools, including those in rural and urban communities.
- Have limited access to professional learning opportunities
- Want to engage in the translation of cutting edge research into meaningful learning experiences for students
The Cary BIORETS program is a full-time six week program, running from June 30 - August 8 (Holiday on 4th). Participants are expected to be on site at Cary Institute in Millbrook, NY each day from 9 am - 4 pm. After the summer program concludes, you will participate in four Saturday follow up sessions (virtually) with your cohort during the school year and return to Cary’s campus the following June for an in-person two day meeting.
Teachers will complete a research project with guidance from Cary scientists and education staff. Participants also will generate new curriculum for their classroom to be implemented in the following school year. You will need to be teaching in the 2025-2026 school year so that you can implement your new materials in your classroom. These materials are tailored (by you!) to your classroom and can range from a short lesson sequence (2-4 class periods) to a full unit. You will choose the appropriate content, standards and pedagogy that supports your growth as a teacher and work with Cary education staff to incorporate effective, research supported methods in your materials.
Teachers will receive a $8,800 stipend for full participation in the program. This supports your summer research work, school year follow up sessions, work time to implement new curriculum, participation in evaluation surveys and participating in the writing workshop. Each teacher receives a budget of up to $2,000 for supplies for classroom materials to support implementation of their new curriculum. Additional funding is available for some participants for travel and expenses for presenting at a regional or national conference.
The Cary BIORETS program is a full-time six week program, running from June 30 - August 8 (Holiday on 4th). Participants are expected to be on site at Cary Institute in Millbrook, NY each day from 9 am - 4 pm. After the summer program concludes, you will participate in Saturday follow up sessions (virtually) with your cohort during the school year and return to Cary’s campus the following June for an in-person two day meeting.
| March 15, 2025 | Application Deadline |
| Late March, 2025 | Applicant Interviews |
| Early April, 2025 | Applicant Selection Notification |
| June 30, 2025 - August 8, 2025 | Summer Research & Curriculum Development (Holiday on July 4) |
| 2025-2026 School Year | Four virtual follow up sessions (Dates TBD, based on participant availability) |
| June 2026 | In-person Writing Retreat (Date TBD, based on participant availability) |
I really want to participate, but I have a family vacation planned, should I still apply?
Commitment to the full program is expected for all participants. That being said, we understand that we all have other obligations. Missing a small number of days in the summer is understandable, but a commitment that requires you to miss more than two consecutive days of the program will make it difficult for you and your team to have a successful experience.
I live out of town, is there housing and travel assistance available?
Yes, we provide accommodations for participants who live beyond a reasonable commuting distance. Participants will stay in a shared house on our rural campus. Please note that the accommodations are dormitory-style in the Smith House, a renovated farmhouse on a field research site. While clean and well maintained, the bedrooms have no air conditioning; window fans are available. You will have a private room with a shared bath. We cannot accommodate pets in our housing. Please refer to our housing manual for housing information and view pictures of Smith House here. If you are traveling with family, please reach out to the program coordinator Becky Van Tassell (vantassellr@caryinstitute.org) to discuss options.
Travel expenses for out of town participants are covered for travel to Millbrook at the start of the program, and travel home at the end of the program.
Are travel expenses included for participants?
For local teachers, a portion of your daily mileage expenses will be reimbursed. Travel expenses for out of town participants are covered for travel to Millbrook at the start of the program, and travel home at the end of the program.
The eligibility requirements say I have to have taught for one year. I’m in my first year of teaching, am I still eligible?
You are eligible to apply. We want teachers to have taught for at least a year when entering the program.
Are any supplies/consumables/equipment provided or do these need to be purchased from the stipend?
All supplies required for the summer research are provided by the program. In addition, each teacher will have a budget of up to $2,000 for supplies for your classroom to support your implementation of whatever new curriculum you are integrating.
I have a conflict this summer, is this program being offered in the future?
Yes! We will be accepting a cohort for the 2026-2027 school year as well, and pending renewal of our funding, additional cohorts in the future.
I see that the program involves field work. I’m not an outdoorsy person - what is the fieldwork like?
Fieldwork can be physically demanding work. July in Millbrook is often hot and humid and many of our research plots are accessible by footpaths only. That being said, we are committed to including all participants meaningfully in their research projects and will make any necessary accommodations and modifications of our plans to include all of our participants.