Member Opportunities

Members are offered the following opportunities:

Annual NEST/MIT Retreat and Workshops

NEST members are invited back to MIT for a day retreat and workshops each June. This is another method of continuing the dialogue between MIT and NEST teachers and to advance professional development of its members.

Tours of MIT Laboratories

Students, through their NEST teacher, have a unique vehicle for exploring and collaborating with MIT Departments, Centers, and Laboratories as well as with its faculty, staff, and students. The NEST Secretary, Ken Brody, may arrange tours at MIT upon request at kwbrody@mit.edu.

MIT Admissions Partnership with NEST

The Admissions Office will consider NEST recommendations as if from an MIT affiliate. NEST teachers have also been recruited by MIT Admissions to help identify students best matched with MIT.

Student Recognition Awards

To encourage and reward student interest in science and mathematics, NEST has created student awards for "science activism" that are presented in a public forum. The awards are based not solely on a student's scholastic achievements, but on the student's outreach into the school and community. The student receives an award certificate and a signed copy of a book written by an MIT author. The School receives an engraved plaque that remains in the school.

NEST Distinguished Teacher Awards

NEST similarly created annual awards for outstanding teachers, who receive discretionary funds of $500 and an award certificate at the June meeting. Again, such awards are presented publicly with a view of raising public appreciation of science education. The award is presented to the teacher who best demonstrates a commitment to scientific education and promotes student involvement in science and technology in the community.

NEST Summer Research Experience

Through the efforts of the Center for Materials Science and Engineering and other campus laboratories, a 7-week summer research opportunity at MIT is made available to our select membership. A stipend is awarded by CMSE for a limited number of participants. Applications are sent to members in late February of each year. The program begins the last week of June and concludes in mid-August. All correspondence regarding application process and acceptance is with CMSE.

NEST Discussion List (NESTD-L)

The NESTD-L is an e-mail list devoted exclusively to the support of its members. The list broadcasts approximately 5-8 messages each week alerting the membership to sources of interest to them, and provides a vehicle for the exchange of ideas and projects between members.

NEST Newsletter

The NEST Newsletter is published twice a year and distributed to its members.

NEST office

MIT provides NEST a small, separate office located in Building E38.

NEST member dues

Teachers remain a member in the organization with payment of small annual dues of $20.00.