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Middle School Research Teachers Conference (MSRTC) (Society for Science)

Provided By
Society for Science
A participant watches thoughtfully

The Middle School Research Teachers Conference (MSRTC) brings together middle school educators to share best practices and troubleshoot challenges in supporting students in STEM research. The annual conference focuses on supporting educators in leading students in research projects for local science fairs, Thermo Fisher JIC, eCYBERMISSION, and other STEM research competitions.

Logic Model

Program Activities

Educators

Learn STEM pedagogy and ways to help their students complete scientific research ​ 

Gain knowledge about STEM learning opportunities (e.g., student competitions and student mentorship) ​ 

Learn about DoW STEM careers that their students could pursue​

Program Near-Term Outcomes

Educators

Increase knowledge of STEM pedagogy and opportunities for supporting independent student science research 

Increase awareness of DoW STEM careers 

Increased sense of belonging among a community of educators​

DSEC Near-Term Outcomes

Educators

Changes in teacher approaches to teaching STEM Concepts, practices, and careers in their classrooms 

Increased participant awareness of, and interest in, DoW STEM research and careers

Participant Perspectives

Participant perspectives reflect survey responses from 2025-2026, the first year of survey administration.

Of 30 educator participants, 30 responded to the survey.

Educators

  • Disagree
  • Slightly Agree
  • Moderately Agree
  • Strongly Agree
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my knowledge/skills for connecting with other teachers in the future.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my knowledge/skills for developing a sense of belonging in a STEM-focused professional learning community.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my knowledge/skills for teaching STEM content in effective and inspirational ways.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my knowledge/skills for developing opportunities to engage my students in STEM research.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my knowledge/skills for supporting students through independent research projects.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my knowledge/skills for supporting students in entering research competitions.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my awareness of the the DoW STEM opportunities available to students (e.g., programs, internships, SMART scholarship).
n = 27 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my awareness of the variety of jobs and careers in STEM.
n = 30 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my awareness of the variety of jobs and careers in STEM in the military/Department of War. This could include, for example, working as a civilian in the Department of War.
n = 27 valid responses
The Middle School Research Teachers Conference increased my awareness of how to inform my students about careers in STEM.
n = 30 valid responses
Program Data

Program data includes participants from both years of Base Period (2024-2025 and 2025-2026). 

Educators

75 total educator participants

Educator Type

Category Count %
Teacher 75 100%

Educator Grade Levels

Military-Connected Educators

Other programs from Partner
Advocate Program (Society for Science)
DoW STEM Leadership Prize (Society for Science)
Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Society for Science)