Federal funding provides $1.2 million toward students entering STEM-education fields
Wayne, NE – McAllister & Quinn is excited to congratulate Wayne State College (WSC) on being awarded the Track 1 Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grant focused on recruiting talented students into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educator preparation. This five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation includes $745,000 of funding for students entering STEM-education fields.
WSC’s project, titled “Wildcat Initiative for STEM Education” (WISE), is designed to recruit, prepare, and provide scholarships to STEM majors to become qualified teachers of mathematics (grades 6–12) and science (grades 7–12). The overarching goal of the program is to address regional STEM teacher shortages in rural, high-need local educational service units (ESUs), many of which serve a majority of underrepresented minorities.
“Wayne State is proud to receive these funds from the National Science Foundation,” said WSC President Marysz Rames. “Our College has long been a leader in teacher education and this grant will support our efforts to continually improve the quality of instruction in high-need classrooms in rural Nebraska.”
Dr. Nicholas J. Shudak, principal investigator and dean of WSC’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and a team of math, science, and education professors will develop and implement evidence-based strategies to recruit, prepare, and support culturally competent STEM educators.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity for high school students interested in STEM education,” Shudak said. “The entire team I work with is excited to steward through this grant as a part of our storied history with teacher education. It is no secret that application to teacher education programs in our state and across the country are dwindling, and especially in areas like STEM-education. Our sincerest of hopes is that through this grant, and in partnering with key districts and ESUs in our service region, that we can start moving the needle on increasing interest in and application to teacher education in the STEM areas.”
The McAllister & Quinn team worked closely with Wayne State College to support and expand its federal grant and foundation funded projects. As of February 2022, Wayne State College, with McAllister & Quinn’s assistance, has been awarded over $5 million in federal grants to support humanities and STEM education, nursing scholarships, and student support initiatives.
If you are interested in learning more read the Press Release on the Wayne State College website here: https://www.wsc.edu/news/article/641/wsc_lands_12m_grant_from_national_science_foundation_for_teacher_prep