$1.9M Grant Addresses Teacher Shortage

Millersville University of Pennsylvania has been awarded a prestigious Track 1: Scholarships and Stipends Grant through the National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program for $1,199,953. The goal of the NSF grant is to address the national shortage of highly effective secondary mathematics and science teachers. The five-year project aims to recruit and train 15 STEM majors to teach in high-need schools within the School District of Lancaster and the School District of The City of York, both of which serve diverse and economically disadvantaged student populations.

"Millersville University is committed to addressing the critical shortage of STEM teachers in high-need schools. Through the support of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and our local partnerships, we can provide our scholars with the tools and training necessary to become effective, culturally competent educators," said Dr. Cynthia Taylor, professor of mathematics at Millersville and the Principal Investigator of the project.

The University will leverage the institutional support of the newly established STEM Education Advisory Board and a STEM Education Graduate Assistant position, developed as part of a previously funded Noyce Capacity Building Grant. Selected Noyce Scholars will receive comprehensive financial support, covering 97% of their tuition, fees, and room and board-equivalent to $48,000 over two years. In return, the scholars will commit to teaching in a high-need school district for four years following graduation.

"This is an incredible opportunity for students aspiring to become science or math teachers for grades 7-12," says Dr. Nanette Dietrich, professor of Educational Foundations and Co-Principal Investigator on the grant. "The NOYCE grant from the National Science Foundation can cover two years of college, and the state is also offering an additional $10,000 stipend for student teaching. It's truly a fantastic time to enter the teaching profession!"

By improving the quality of education in these schools, the project aims to enhance student retention rates and prepare a new generation of STEM professionals from underrepresented communities. With over 400 refugee students speaking more than 30 languages enrolled in the project's partner school districts, the emphasis on cultural competency is crucial for the success of teachers and their students.

Three students will receive the grant in January, four in the fall semester of 2025, five in the fall semester of 2026, and another three in the fall of 2027. Taylor says if the scholarships fill up, the University can ask for additional funding.

The other Co-PIs on the project are Dr. Daniel Albert, associate professor of chemistry, Dr. Tyrone Washington, associate professor of mathematics, and Dr. Robert Vaillancourt, professor of oceanography.

This project reflects the National Science Foundation's commitment to advancing educational opportunities for diverse student populations in high-need districts.

Interested Millersville University STEM students should contact Dr. Cynthia Taylor at [email protected] and can apply HERE.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 234074.  Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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