The Office of Research Experiences & Education (OREE) believes that scientific inquiry in the context of real-world phenomena builds the foundation for a safer, more sustainable future where people are equipped with knowledge and skills to think critically about the world around them.

The Xplorlabs Educator Fellowship provides professional learning experiences with peers and leaders in education as well as UL Research Institutes’ (ULRI) safety science experts. It is a yearlong program (June 2024-June 2025) with an active cohort of secondary classroom and informal educators from across the country.

Program Benefits 

• Fellows will receive a $2,500 honorarium in recognition of their expertise, time commitments, and dedication to innovating their educational space. This gift will be awarded as two installments in Aug. 2024 and June 2025
• Participate in the Annual Fellows Summit in Tempe, Arizona (July 10-12, 2024) to explore teaching and learning strategies used in Xplorlabs, and your own role as an expert in safety science education
• Join the 2024 ULRI Research Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia (week of Sept. 30, 2024) to learn about ULRI’s research in safety science and expand your own content knowledge

What Makes this Program Unique? 

• Nationwide cohort: Build sustainable relationships with other educators and community stakeholders
• Access to leading-edge expertise: Learn about emerging phenomena from industry-leading scientists and researchers at ULRI
• Focus on safety science phenomena: Collaborate with educators to further pedagogy and co-develop safety science lessons using Xplorlabs 
• Incorporate safety science education: Exploring phenomena, emerging technologies, and multidisciplinary challenges that impact safety in the 21st century — to engage students and teach your unique educational content
• Fueling youth agency: Empower learners to investigate meaningful problems, imagine a safer world, and turn multidisciplinary knowledge into action

Program Expectations & Key Dates   

• Wednesday, June 12: Virtual welcome meeting
• Wednesday, July 10-Friday, July 12: Annual three-day workshop at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona
• Week of Sept. 30: ULRI Research Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia
• Monthly: Virtual meetings
• Engage in 20 hours of professional development work (e.g., reflection, innovate lessons, reading, and other tasks relevant to the fellowship goals)
• Implement innovative lessons using Xplorlabs

The 2024-2024 Fellowship is in progress. Check back for links to the 2025-2026 application early March 2025.

The application can take up to an hour to complete. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by Friday, May 31.

Know someone who might be interested? Feel free to share this webpage with fellow educators!