Tjhe University of Rhode Island’s School of Education was awarded its second National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program for $1.2 million to recruit, prepare and mentor teachers of science and mathematics over the next five years. 

 

The award provides $15,000 scholarships to 20 juniors and seniors double-majoring in education and a science or mathematics. It also provides $35,000 a year to a STEM career changer seeking teacher certification.

 

As a loan-forgiveness program, students must agree to teach in a high-need school district for two years for each year of support after they earn their teaching degree. The scholarship also provides paid summer internships for University of Rhode Island's freshmen and sophomores to work with children and youth in informal science and mathematics settings.

 

“The scholarship program is instrumental in recruiting students who major in a STEM area to consider a career in K-12 teaching,” said Anne Seitsinger, associate dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies and the grant’s lead PI. 

 

She added that the program also provides mentoring to Noyce Scholars for three years since they are beginning teachers.

 

The first Robert Noyce Teacher scholarship award for $1.4 million award was given to the University of Rhode Island in 2013 to recruit and support 25 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers that are now teaching in five states.