Fed Investment Awarded Through National Science Foundation Will Be Used To Train, Recruit, And Retain STEM Teachers – Bolstering Academic Opportunities In Underserved Communities & Creating Jobs In Southern Tier
Schumer, Gillibrand: This Funding Is An A+ For Our Binghamton Students & New Teachers!
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,197,897 in federal funding for Binghamton University to develop STEM teachers in the Southern Tier to improve access to mathematics for diverse populations of middle and high school students. The funding was allocated through the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Robert Noyce Scholarship Program and will be used to recruit undergraduate mathematics majors to careers in secondary mathematics teaching by engaging in coursework, weekly field experiences in community school settings, activities with multiple teaching and community mentors, and a video-based induction program, among other activities.
“Having a good teacher makes a world of difference for our students, and this nearly $1.2 million in federal funding for Binghamton University will go the extra mile to ensure we can fill the gap in STEM teaching jobs for Southern Tier communities,” said Senator Schumer. “ By bolstering STEM education, we are ensuring our students will have access to the best of the best STEM teachers, setting our Binghamton children up for a bright future. Not only are we giving students the most important tool needed to thrive in future jobs in math, science, engineering, and more, but creating new, good-paying jobs in schools for recent graduates. I’m proud to announce this federal investment and will always fight to deliver the resources needed to improve educational opportunities for young New Yorkers.”
“Recruiting and training STEM teachers is vital as the need for STEM education continues to grow across the country,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This investment in Binghamton University will help recruit and train STEM teachers and expand access to STEM education for middle and high school students in the Southern Tier. I am proud to announce this funding and I will continue to fight to deliver resources for New York’s students.”
The senators explained the funding will support Binghamton University’s project to prepare 24 new middle and high school teachers over five years, which will be recruited from undergraduate majors in mathematics. The project will increase the number of qualified mathematics teachers, while creating stable, good-paying jobs for Southern Tier communities.
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program supports talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers and experienced, exemplary K-12 teachers to become STEM master teachers in high-need school districts. It also supports research on the effectiveness and retention of K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 48,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $626 million in professional and service contracts yearly.