2012-13 Teacher Education STEM Scholarship Program

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) offers the Teacher Education STEM Scholarship Program to encourage talented individuals to consider education careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Successful candidates who are awarded a scholarship will receive a one-year, non-renewable $1,000 stipend. To be eligible, an undergraduate or graduate student must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) at one of the five Virginia Space Grant Consortium universities and be majoring in a teacher preparation program.

A current sophomore attending a Virginia Community College preparing to transfer to one of the five consortium institutions and matriculating into a STEM education program is also eligible to apply. Students must be pursuing a teacher certification that would qualify them to teach in a pre-college environment.  This scholarship is based on merit and is competitive recognizing high academic achievement and promise. 

Goals:

• Encourage talented individuals to pursue a teaching career in one the following areas of STEM education:  science, technology education, or mathematics
• Increasing participation of underrepresented minorities, females and students with disabilities in aerospace-related careers
• Implementing the goals of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

  Eligibility:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be enrolled in one of the five Virginia Space Grant Consortium member institutions at time of award.
• Must be a current full-time student (minimum of 12 credit hours)
• Must be majoring in a teacher education program with a STEM subject concentration
• Must have a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Required Application Components

• Statement of your academic goals and educational philosophy – a brief statement written by the applicant relating to the reasons for his/her desire to enter the teaching profession in a STEM field. Of particular interest is your approach and educational philosophy for teaching science, technology, and math.
• Plan of study – an outline of intended coursework for the remainder of your undergraduate or graduate degree program
• Resume – submit a short summary of your career and qualifications, list any relevant education information and significant accomplishments.
• Letters of Recommendation: Please provide the names and contact information for two references of which one must be the applicant’s current faculty advisor.  Letters of recommendation should assess the applicant’s potential as a teacher as well as his/her progress and academic achievements. The on-line application system will contact both references via email to request a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.  We suggest that you inform both of your references that they will receive an email from the VSGC in reference to your application.  Your references will be provided with a link to submit their recommendations.  We must receive both recommendations for your application to be complete.
• Transcript: An unofficial transcript with all grades through fall semester 2012 is required and can be submitted as a PDF in the online application.  If the applicant is selected to receive an award then an official transcript will be required at acceptance.  If the applicant does not have a PDF conversion tool, links to free on-line PDF converters are provided in the application. 

Administrative and Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients:

• Awardees must provide a head-shot photo electronically.
• Awardees must provide biographical information upon selection.
• Awardees must inform the VSGC of changes of contact information.
• Awardees must respond to academic and employment follow-up surveys.
• Awardees must may be asked to discuss their studies in public forums.

At the completion of the award period, but no later than May 15, 2013 the scholarship recipient must submit a brief, written report of their experience as a Virginia Space Grant Teacher Education STEM Scholar. The report should address:

• academic progress, including degree granted (if applicable)
• description of a student teaching or mentoring experience (if applicable)
• significant results of the award experience (e.g. a list of presentations made or honors)
• future educational plans and or employment

Disposition of Unused Funds
If the scholarship recipient terminates his/her academic program during the 2012–2013 academic year, the University is required to return a prorated share of the scholarship award to the VSGC. Scholarship funds are not transferable.

Application Timeline

Applications are due by March 16, 2012. Awards will be announced by April 2012 with funding provided to students through the universities for the 2012–2013 academic year beginning with the fall 2012 semester.

Teacher Education STEM Scholarship Application

Applicants must click new user registration button to begin application
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. EST March 16, 2012
(Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the reference by March 23, 2012)
(The application must be submitted online and all information must be complete or it will not be reviewed.)