U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice announced on Tuesday that the National Science Foundation awarded $1,199,752 in a federal grant to Adelphi University’s Scholar Teacher Education Program.
According to a news release, this initiative came about because of a partnership between Adelphi, Mineola Public Schools, New York City Department of Education/Queens High School for Teaching, Global Kids, Operation SPLASH and Nassau Community College.
“We see this as a great opportunity to advance the vision and mission of Adelphi University in its commitment to supporting the development of science teachers working in our underserved school districts on Long Island and in the metropolitan area,” said Tracy Hogan, associate professor of science education, in the release.
The grant is intended to recruit, support and prepare 24 science teachers to take STEM teaching positions in school districts that are considered to be high needs, according to the release. The teachers will include people from underrepresented groups.
Undergraduates that are studying biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics or environmental studies will be recruited through the scholar-teacher education program. This is a five-year program for bachelor and master’s students that aims to prepare them to teach adolescents.
Undergraduates chosen will receive support from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program for their junior, senior and graduate years. They will also get one year of support as they work toward getting a Master of Arts in Education degree with teacher certification.
This grant is meant to help with a shortage of grade 7-12 science teachers on Long Island and throughout Queens, according to the release.
