Summer Research Experiences for Science Teachers
Partners in Science 2.0 @ Fred Hutch (PS2@FH) is a paid two-summer program for secondary science educators seeking an in-depth, biomedical research experience at Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
PS2@FH supports the professional growth of secondary science teachers and allows them to share insights about biomedical and cancer research with their students. At the same time, Partner teachers contribute to the scientific efforts within Fred Hutch research labs. Our South Lake Union campus is within commuting distance to many local school districts in the greater Puget Sound area.
The PS2@FH program pairs each Partner teacher with a Mentor scientist for two summers of mentored research. It is based on the popular Partners in Science program model developed by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
About the PS2@FH Program
The purpose of the PS2@FH program is to provide Partner teachers with an opportunity to collaborate with a Mentor scientist to deeply influence their own professional practices and develop their identities as scientists. The two-year program includes eight weeks of research annually each summer, as well as travel and attendance at two Murdock conferences annually (August and January). During the summer, Partner teachers will spend most of their time conducting research in their host lab. They will also attend weekly meetings (program meetings, journal club meetings, and lab meetings), and work on scientific communication projects (scientific poster, scientific talk, and optional blog post). PS2@FH is funded through the generous support of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The program is limited to teachers who reside and teach in the Murdock Trust's funding region, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.
The priority application deadline for the 2025 program has now passed
The priority deadline for applications was March 16, 2025 11:59 pm PST. The priority deadline for the recommendation form was March 30, 2025 11:59 pm PST.
Application Information
Update: Our programs rely on federal funding from NIH (specifically the National Institute for General Medical Sciences and National Cancer Institute) and budget support from Fred Hutch Cancer Center, both of which face uncertainty and potential cuts. At this time, we are uncertain whether we will receive sufficient funding to hold our programs as planned this summer. While we hope to proceed in some capacity, changes such as reduced participant numbers may be necessary. As a result, acceptance decisions may be delayed beyond the previously published date. We appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this challenging situation.
The application period runs from winter through early spring annually. For Summer 2025, applications opened on December 2, 2024. The priority deadline for applications was March 16, 2025 11:59 pm PST. The priority deadline for the recommendation form was March 30, 2025 11:59 pm PST. If you encounter questions or problems with the application, contact us at sep@fredhutch.org.
Choosing Between our Professional Development Programs
PS2@FH will appeal to teachers who want to immerse themselves in a biomedical research-focused experience, discover the process of science, and develop their identities as scientists. Alternatively, the Hutch Fellowship for Excellence in STEM Teaching is another summer research experience that involves a cancer research experience paired with the design of innovative cancer-focused curriculum materials. The SEP Summer Session professional development program is a 3-week summer program focused on developing teachers’ molecular biology skills and pedagogical practices. For more information on the PS2@FH and how it differs from our other professional development programs for science teachers, please visit our teacher website.
View a Comparison of PS2@FH and our Other Summer Teacher Programs
