Teacher Education Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholarship Program

The VSGC Teacher Education STEM Scholarship Program provides awards of $1,000 for undergraduate or graduate education students enrolled at one of the five Virginia Space Grant universities or any Virginia Community College and majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). A major goal of the VSGC is to develop programs that will help improve the STEM education of all students. This goal is in keeping with established educational reform initiatives, as well as the national Space Grant goals, of ensuring the technical, scientific and research workforce that America needs to stay competitive in the world marketplace.

In order to be provided with this education, students in elementary and secondary schools must be exposed to motivated, well-prepared individuals who are fully qualified to teach in STEM. It is important for college students to understand that teachers are central to any effort to effect reform in science, mathematics and technology education, and, for that reason, undergraduates must be encouraged to enter the teaching field.

To encourage talented individuals to pursue studies leading to teaching certification in the STEM fields, the VSGC established the Teacher Education Scholarship program to complement its existing science and engineering-based scholarships and fellowships. This is a competivite scholarship program, funded by NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia contributions, with the goals of:

• Encouraging students to pursue degrees leading to becoming teachers of mathematics, technology education, and the sciences, especially earth/space/environmental science;
• Recognizing high academic achievement and promise;
• Increasing participation of underrepresented minorities, females and students with disabilities in these fields; and,
• Implementing the goals of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. EST FEBRUARY 27, 2009
(Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the reference by March 6, 2009)

Teacher Education STEM Scholarship Application
(First-time users must click on the New User Registration button to begin)

Awards are one-year, non-renewable $1,000 stipends for undergraduate or graduate education students enrolled at one of the five Virginia Space Grant universities or any Virginia Community College and majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). The number of awards is contingent on available funding.

Eligibility

The scholarship program is open to undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and will be enrolled in a fulltime (minimum of 12 credit hours) program of study when they actually receive the award. Students may apply during their senior year of high school or sophomore year in a community college. The award is contingent on matriculation to a Virginia Space Grant university and entrance into a teacher certification program. Students currently enrolled in a Virginia Space Grant university or Virginia community college can apply when they declare their intent to enter the teacher certification program. Those students enrolled in a career transition program leading to a degree in education are also eligible to apply.

Students enrolled in a Master of Education degree program leading to Teacher Certification in a STEM field may also apply. Students eligible for support must be in a track that would qualify them to teach in a pre-college setting. Students enrolled full-time in a career-switcher program or a similar pre-service teacher licensure program are eligible to apply. Successful scholarship recipients should have grade point averages of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Since an important purpose of this program is to promote educators in STEM, the VSGC especially encourages applications and participation from underrepresented minorities, females, and persons with disabilities.

Application Review Process
Applications are due by February 27, 2009. Awards will be announced by April 2009, with funding provided to students through the universities for the 2009–2010 academic year beginning with the Fall 2009 semester.

Reporting and Administrative Requirements

At the completion of the award period, but no later than June 30, 2010, awardees must submit a brief, written report on their experience as a Virginia Space Grant Teacher Education Scholar. The report should address:

• academic progress, including degree granted (if applicable);
• description of a student teaching or mentoring experience (if applicable);
• signifi cant results of the awardee’s experience (e.g. a list of presentations made, awards or honors); and,
• employment or future educational plans.

A letter regarding the awardee’s academic progress during the award period and potential as an educator must also be submitted by the faculty advisor no later than June 30, 2010. Awardees will be required to: provide a photo and biographical information upon selection; to inform the Consortium of changes of address; to respond to academic and employment follow-up surveys for Space Grant Teacher Education Scholars; and, may also be asked to discuss their studies in public forums.

Disposition of Unused Funds

If an awardee terminates his/her academic program during the 2009–2010 academic year, the University is required to return a prorated share of the scholarship award to the VSGC. Scholarship funds are not transferable.

Applicant Information Form

The application must be submitted online and all information must be complete or the application will not be reviewed. The components of the application are discussed in more detail below.

Statement of Academic Goals and Plan of Study

A statement written by the student should relate the reasons for his/her desire to enter the teaching profession in a STEM field. Applicants should submit a plan of study outlining intended coursework for the remainder of their undergraduate or Master of Education degree program.

Resume and Letters of Recommendation

Applicants will submit a short resume of education, significant accomplishments (e.g. honors or scholarships) and any other relevant information. Applicants will also provide the names and contact information for two references of which one must be the student's current faculty advisor. Letters of recommendation should assess the applicant’s potential as a teacher as well as her/his progress and academic achievements..

VSGC will contact both references via email to request a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. References will be provided with a link to submit the recommendation. For the application to be complete, the faculty advisor must submit a letter of reference. The VSGC suggests that applicants contact both references listed and inform them that they will receive an email from VSGC requesting this information on their behalf.

Transcript

Unofficial transcript with grades through Fall 2008 is required and can be submitted as a PDF in the online application. Applicants must submit one transcript from each institiution of higher education attended. If the applicant is selected to receive the award, official transcripts will be required at time of acceptance. If the applicant does not have a PDF conversion tool, links to free on-line PDF converters are provided in the application.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. EST FEBRUARY 27, 2009
(Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the reference by March 6, 2009)

Teacher Education STEM Scholarship Application
(First-time users must click on the New User Registration button to begin)