Research experiences for teachers vary widely, from short-term, highly defined summer research projects to complete graduate programs. What are the goals and expected outcomes of such experiences? Our panelists will present a variety of models and discuss the impact of teachers’ research experiences on (1) teachers’ growth as science practitioners, (2) the formation of collaborative partnerships, and (3) their students’ scientific reasoning. Finally, we will discuss the potential for broadening teachers’ access to research opportunities, along with corresponding practical concerns such as teacher compensation, K-12 curriculum flexibility, and variance in teachers’ interests and experience levels.
