Teacher Training

NSF Funds STEM Teacher Training Program

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 01/19/10

The National Science Foundation has funded seven new programs supporting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives. The grant program, titled Innovation through Institutional Integration, or I3, offers awards for up to $1.25 million over four years. Among the programs funded was Arizona State University's professional development efforts to help elementary school teachers to become middle school science and math teachers.

I3 pursues an ambitious agenda: increased collaboration in and among institutions, broader participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM, identifying critical educational junctures, integrating research and education, and promoting a globally savvy workforce.

"Through I3, institutions have opportunities to strategically integrate the STEM educational enterprise in ways that can dramatically change the student experience," said Wanda Ward, NSF's acting assistant director for the Education and Human Resources directorate. "The innovations being implemented by I3 awardees are impressive and illustrate the creativity of the nation's colleges and universities at all levels. We expect this effort will change the way many institutions think about STEM education and its impact on the nation's diverse student population."

Arizona State University in Tempe has created the Modeling Institute, housed within the Mary Lou Fulton Institute and Graduate School of Education, with a goal to produce 200 middle-grades STEM educators, develop 10 STEM sustainability-themed master's level courses, and support these STEM educators as professionals through the establishment of professional learning communities, a professional development network, and learning opportunities. Graduates of the program, ASU anticipated, will be better equipped to engage students in dynamic mathematics and science learning.

"In the fields of mathematics, science and engineering, we are working collaboratively with school districts and the various departments and colleges on our four campuses to provide continuing education for teachers, said Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Capaldi, in announcing the grant. "Among our major priorities is ensuring that all teachers are equipped with deep content knowledge, are passionate about their fields of expertise and their teaching, and are well-prepared to develop the talents of their students."

Other grant recipients included City University of New York (CUNY) New York City College of Technology; Rutgers University in New Jersey; Texas Tech University in Lubbock; Fort Belknap College in Montana; Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN; and Michigan State University in East Lansing.