Research Experiences for Teachers (RET), funded by the National Science Foundation, offer teachers an opportunity to participate in current, hands-on scientific research in laboratories across the United States. These experiences provide an avenue for teachers to understand the process of research and gain insight on emerging technologies with the goal of implementing this new knowledge in the classroom. This article describes author Lisa Beard's research experience at the Thin Films Polymer Lab at Vanderbilt University, the use of the Legacy Cycle, and how this approach to teaching enhances STEM classrooms. (Contains 6 figures and 3 online resources.)