The 2023 Summer Engineering Research Apprenticeship (SERA) program will select up to two eligible San Diego County-area, K-12, STEAM teachers* for a paid, part-time, engineering research and education program that will be held during Summer 2023.

The SERA program will take place over six weeks during the summer, lasting from June 26 – August 4, 2023. Participants will be expected to participate in lab, research, and/or educational activities during the week (Mon-Fri) for approximately 4 hours per day (20 hours per week) on the SDSU campus. The two selected applicants will each receive a $4,000 stipend and will gain training and experience with lab procedures and instrumentation. The program will also open an opportunity for ongoing classroom engagement with scientists and engineers at SDSU.

SERA is a National Science Foundation- (NSF-) funded initiative that aims to integrate participating K-12 teachers into an interdisciplinary, environmental engineering research lab at San Diego State University (SDSU), and to support the development of STEM-based K-12 classroom activities. Selected participants will gain hands-on research lab experience, while assisting with a research project in the Environmental Biotechnology Lab on the SDSU main campus. During the 6-week experience, participants will learn about conducting research in a lab and also develop a STEM-based classroom lesson or activity for use in their classroom in the upcoming school year.

To apply to be one of the two 2023 SERA scholars, please fill out the application below. For more information on the SERA program, please visit: http://cmdykstra.com/sera/. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Christy M. Dykstra at cdykstra@sdsu.edu.

*Eligible Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) teachers are new (i.e., new teacher planning to start in Fall 2023) or returning (i.e., will be returning as a teacher in Fall 2023 after having previously taught for at least one semester).