NSF Grant To Bring STEM to Middle Schools

Gainesville, FL: College of Education Professor Rose Pringle and Lynda Hayes, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School Director, have received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help increase awareness and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.  According to Jackie Alexander of The Gainesville Sun, the plan is to enroll teachers in the Science Teacher Leadership Institute while they continue to work in their home district.  The teachers would acquire knowledge of STEM fields through the program.  In exchange for free tuition, the teachers make a five year commitment to continue working in the district and teach the curriculum to others in the district.  A first cohort of students will target rural schools while a second cohort will include urban school districts.