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Computing RET

The Computing RET program hosted by the University of Notre Dame campus is projected to run for seven weeks from mid-to-late June to early August. 

Benefits include:

  • A stipend of $7000
  • A stipend of $1500 during the Academic Year for materials to implement developed K-12 curricular module
  • Conference / professional development travel funds
  • 3 non-degree graduate credit hours

Program Overview

The Computing RET aims to form partnerships between:

  1. Students and faculty at ND
  2. Both in-service and pre-service teachers in grades 3 through 8
  3. Elementary and middle school students

During the summer, teachers will work with personnel at Notre Dame on a research project that focuses on the advances, capabilities, and challenges associated with machine learning (ML) / artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms – that are currently driving efforts at companies such as Google, Apple, and Instagram, federal agencies such as the FBI, as well as computer hardware manufacturers such as IBM, Intel, and Samsung.

Teachers will translate ideas and lessons from their summer experiences to develop new curriculum to introduce and prepare future generations of students to understand and develop ML/AI software and systems.

Among others, students might begin to understand mathematical techniques (e.g., relatively simple multiply-and-accumulate operations) that are at the heart of computational models that are already pervasive in applications that they use on a daily basis (e.g., ML algorithms to draw a box around individual faces when using an iPhone’s camera), in addition to ethical challenges posed by more capable language generating models such as ChatGPT. Other projects might focus on “biometrics” (e.g., the use of facial or iris scants for authentication/identification purposes).

We aim to share developed materials via multiple channels (at the local, state, and national levels), and will simultaneously work to address newly released computer science standards from the Indiana Department of Education.

Eligibility

Please note that we anticipate that this program will primarily be focused on:

  1. in-service teachers in Grades 3-8 
  2. pre-service teachers who aim to teach in Grades 3-8. 

Contact

Please contact Michael Niemier with any additional questions.