Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has been awarded a $592,681 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the first Research Experience for Teachers (RET) site in Northwest Indiana. The RET site will be established at PNW’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) and Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC) through the support of the three-year grant. The RET site will focus on simulation and visualization technologies for innovative industrial solutions. It will address critical issues of workforce development and the skills gap in industry, which have a direct impact on the nation’s prosperity. High school and community college teachers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines will gain research experiences and development opportunities to enhance their STEM understanding and teaching effectiveness. Through daily activities, teachers will participate in ongoing systems engineering and smart manufacturing research using cutting-edge simulation and visualization technologies in collaboration with CIVS staff, PNW engineering faculty and industry partners. Participants will take research knowledge gained at the RET site and then create and implement virtual learning modules into their own classrooms during the academic year. Through these modules, students will be empowered and encouraged to pursue advanced STEM education and career goals. High school and community college STEM teachers are eligible to apply for a free six-week summer program at the Research Experience for Teachers site. The program will run from June 8 through July 17, 2020 at the PNW Hammond Campus. Each participant will receive a stipend for completing the summer program and activities for the full academic year. For more information on the RET summer program and to apply, visit pnw.edu/ret.