The purpose of this paper is to introduce an innovative model for the NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program named "Connecting Research and Teaching Through Product Innovation: Quality of Life Technology RET Site" at the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh. This RET has a Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) engineering research theme and emphasizes math using product development economics applications. Teachers are involved for a full year where they incorporate research and academic year teaching via a common product innovation and experiential learning focus. The multidisciplinary approach and multi-step program includes key partnership between the design and fabrication capabilities at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), the curriculum development expertise from the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), and the innovative research and product ideas from the QoLT Engineering Research Center (ERC). This model deepens participants' understanding of engineering by involving interdisciplinary pairs, comprised of a science and math or economics teacher from the same school, to refine and/or develop curricular units that integrate high quality mathematics instruction, the language of engineering, science and technology, and engineering methodology to promote the development of 21st century skills. We strategically target big ideas in mathematics and science by supporting the growing recognition that the silo approach to teaching science and mathematics and the general absence of engineering and technology in K-12 are contributing to an inadequate educational system.
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