The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) advocate for K-12 educators to go beyond teaching content knowledge by prioritizing the integration of academic disciplines into real-life experiences and careers. Schools are now focused on preparing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in college and careers, and gain exposure to future employment opportunities. Recognizing the significance of collaboration between K-12 teachers and higher education faculty, the National Research Council emphasizes the need for enhanced professional development opportunities. Numerous higher education institutions have rigorous and robust experimental research programs. Additionally, a number of them have established STEM centers, outreach initiatives, and partnerships with local school districts to foster such collaborations. Here, we describe a "PlantGIFT" initiative (Plant Genomics Internships for Teachers), a model that effectively translates university-based research into a week-long professional development opportunity that promotes teachers' ability to understand and teach science concepts in their classrooms. We outline the planning and development stages of the PlantGIFT workshop for secondary science teachers, centered around plant research, including our lessons learned, initial results, and implications for future research and practice.