Teacher Prep | News

National Network Aims To Train 100,000 STEM Educators in 10 Years

• By Leila Meyer
• 02/03/14

100Kin10, a national network that aims to train 100,000 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers over 10 years, has gained a new partner in its efforts: Western Governors University.

According to information from WGU, the university went through a "rigorous vetting process" before being selected to join the organization. The 100Kin10 partner reviewers were "looking for organizations that bring innovation, boldness and a proven track-record to their commitment(s) toward expanding, improving and retaining the best of the nation's STEM teaching force," according to WGU.

WGU is a nonprofit online university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in education, including degrees leading to teacher licensure. According to the university, it is "the first online teachers college to earn accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)." The majority of the WGU Teacher College's bachelor's and master's degree programs are in the areas of math and science education and are geared toward training new and practicing classroom teachers.

The 100Kin10 project launched in 2011 with the goal of providing all students with the STEM knowledge and skills needed for success in college and the workforce. The initiative has already recruited and prepared 12,412 STEM teachers and expects that number to grow to nearly 37,000 by 2016, halfway into the project's 10-year timeline. The 100Kin10 project consists of nearly 75 partner organizations, including universities and school districts, as well as federal agencies, states, museums, corporations, nonprofits and foundations. Other partner universities include the University of Arizona, UCLA, Michigan State University, the University of Chicago and others.

Further information about the 100Kin10 project can be found on the organization's site.