Geneva College Awarded $1M NSF Grant for STEM Education Scholarships - Geneva College
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Geneva College Awarded $1M NSF Grant for STEM Education Scholarships

Picture of Geneva College Awarded $1M NSF Grant for STEM Education Scholarships

(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) -- Geneva College announces that the National Science Foundation has awarded a $1 million Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grant for a new Geneva Preparing STEM (GPS) Teachers program for pre-service teaching students in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).

The grant, written by Dr. Adel Aiken, Chair of the Education Department, Mrs. Kathy Austin, Adjunct Associate Professor of Chemistry and Mr. Ed Dambach, Assistant Professor of Math is a five-year program that partners with New Brighton Area School District and the Urban Impact Foundation in Pittsburgh to provide field experiences and professional development. Scholarships covering all unmet financial need for two years will be awarded to juniors accepted into the program if they commit to teaching in a high-needs school district. This will reduce the need for student loans and the need to seek outside employment during their junior and senior years. Additionally, scholars will have the opportunity to participate in several paid experiential learning activities.

Provost and Professor of Chemistry Dr. Melinda Stephens ’93 says, “The introduction of this program aligns with the heart of our mission to equip students to serve God and neighbor. It also fits well with our strategic plan, by focusing on improving student retention and completion, increasing financial support for students, and better connecting students’ academic experience with their chosen vocation. Our students will be equipped to go where they are truly needed and make an impact by serving in our local area.”

Qualified scholars participating in the GPS Teachers program will earn bachelor’s degrees in biology, chemistry, engineering or physics and be eligible for Pennsylvania secondary teaching certification. While at Geneva, students will participate in funded STEM research, teaching and outreach-related activities, collaborative professional development meetings and service activities.

The grant helps Geneva College build on its partnership with the Urban Impact Foundation to offer each cohort of GPS Teachers program scholars the opportunity to participate in an eight-week academic day camp for high-need middle school students in Pittsburgh, counting as a summer internship following their junior year.

After graduating, participants will have the responsibility to teach for four years in a high-needs school district. Geneva will also provide a mentorship program for the new graduate and provide membership in a professional organization for one year.

The application deadline for this year is July 15. Students going into their junior year should apply by contacting Education Department Chair Dr. Adel Aiken at aaiken@geneva.edu or 724-847-5002.

Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 145 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva’s programs are recognized for their high quality. Geneva is included on the Kiplinger’s Personal Finance “2019 Best College Values – Private Universities” list and has a top undergraduate engineering program in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.

Jun 18, 2020