News 2013: NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Summer Institute Allows UMass Dartmouth Students to Explore Education Careers

News 2013: NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Summer Institute Allows UMass Dartmouth Students to Explore Education Careers
NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Summer Institute Allows UMass Dartmouth Students to Explore Education Careers

NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Summer Institute Allows UMass Dartmouth Students to Explore Education Careers

The NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program is announcing a Summer Institute that will give UMass Dartmouth undergraduate students the chance to learn more about becoming a teacher in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  The Summer Institute will run on campus from June 2-12, 2013. 

It is no secret that there is a national need for science and math teachers in our schools.  However, many science and math students are never approached about the idea of teaching as a profession and thus never consider it as a job option.  The Summer Institute is a unique opportunity for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students to engage with local educators and to learn more about becoming an educator at the middle or high school level. 

Dr. Patricia Trina Crowley, Principal Investigator of the NSF Robert Noyce Scholarship Program grant and Associate Director of the Center for University, School and Community Partnerships explains, "Teaching is a profession that enhances every aspect of an individual's life. STEM content rich students should consider obtaining a teaching license in order to share their knowledge and skills with the next generation. The future of our schools and students' lives will be impacted by the quality of their education and STEM majors have the potential to positively contribute to this imperative." 

The Summer Institute will allow qualifying applicants to spend 10 days on campus with free room and board as they participate in a series of projects, exhibitions, and "hands-on" learning experiences, which will introduce them to current educational thought and research.  The institute will implement workshops led by UMD's Department of Teaching and Learning faculty as well as local teachers.  In addition to the workshops, participants will several days of "job shadowing" in which students will have the opportunity to observe teachers in the classroom setting. 

Dr. Anthony Garro, former UMass Dartmouth Provost and current Professor of STEM Education, has indicated that this program fills an important need, namely, it provides students majoring in STEM disciplines an early opportunity to explore whether teaching at a middle school or high school level is a career path they wish to pursue.  Teaching is not for everyone, but for those who are passionate in working with young people and getting them excited about math and science, it is a life changing experience. 

In addition to gaining first hand knowledge of the teaching profession, participants will be given a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the program.  The NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program is urging UMD STEM students to start applying now, and they can do so by going to cuspma.org/ programs/noyce-scholarship-program/nsf-summer-institute/ for more information. 

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact call Kym Welty at 774-929-3036, or email kwelty@umassd.edu.