February 13, 2017

Manchin and Capito Announce Nearly $769K for WVU STEM Programs

Funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will support efforts to recruit and prepare STEM teachers

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that $768,998 will be awarded to West Virginia University (WVU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to partner with Doddridge and Marion County School Districts to recruit and prepare mathematics and science majors for careers in teaching secondary mathematics or science. This project will help train and recruit six or seven new scholars per each year for four years and provide each scholar with up to two years of support. This grant will facilitate the training of at least 25 new STEM teachers in West Virginia.

“I am thrilled to see this investment in STEM education and STEM teachers head to West Virginia University,” Senator Manchin said. “Equipping our next generation of West Virginia teachers with the skills they need to be successful educators is crucial for West Virginia to remain competitive in the global marketplace. I applaud WVU for their commitment to STEM education.” 

“As technology continues to rapidly advance, we must ensure that our students are prepared to fill the cutting edge jobs of tomorrow. It is more important than ever before to train educators and students in STEM fields, and I’m glad to important funding is heading to WVU to support math and science education programs,” said Senator Capito.

This project will leverage the internal expertise in the WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education and capitalize on the existing WVUteach program, which is an adaptation of the successful UTeach program. A hallmark of this program is a curriculum that is rigorous in STEM content but also enables students to complete both the STEM degree and the requirements for teacher licensure within four years. The WVUteach-Noyce Scholars will participate in activities specifically designed to prepare them to teach in the high-need Appalachian schools. Based on the UTeach model, the WVUteach program will offer preparation in relevant cultural competence and pedagogical knowledge, as well as mentorship from experienced teachers who will support them as they learn to teach in these high-need settings. Results from external evaluation and lessons learned from this adaptation will be broadly disseminated through the existing UTeach network as well as through national organizations and other relevant venues. 

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