Holy Cross Awarded $900,000 NSF Grant to Train Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Teachers

Project will address critical teacher shortage, target inner-city schools

WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross has received a $900,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in high-needs school districts by attracting undergraduates in these fields to teaching careers.  The grant—which will fund the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program at Holy Cross through 2015—will contribute to the national effort to improve STEM teaching, by substantially increasing the number of Holy Cross students in STEM disciplines who go on to teach at the middle and high school level.

Commenting on the grant, Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of the College and a computer scientist, said:  “It has always been part of Holy Cross’ mission as a Jesuit college to encourage and support our students in using their outstanding liberal arts education to serve others, especially those most in need.  Many of our students are inspired by this emphasis to seek careers in classroom teaching—guided by our successful Teacher Education Program.  The NSF grant will allow us to help mentor and support more students on their paths to teach in schools that have a critical need.”

The multifaceted project, titled “Attracting Liberal Arts STEM Students to Teaching: A Noyce Phase I Proposal,” will provide scholarship support of $19,000 per year, for up to two years, to STEM students who participate in Holy Cross’ Teacher Education Program and then teach in under-resourced school districts for four years following graduation.  A total of 20 scholarships will be given over a five-year period; the first five will be awarded during the during the 2010-11academic year.

In addition, the grant will fund tutoring and mentoring activities in STEM disciplines with Worcester middle and high students during the academic year and through the summer.  Holy Cross and the Worcester Public Schools have been close partners in science education for over two decades, during which time many successful collaborative programs for teachers and students have been established. In addition, through the College’s Teacher Education Program, Holy Cross students have conducted practicum experiences in Burncoat Middle and High schools since 1993.  Students from the Nativity School of Worcester have also benefitted from regular interaction with Holy Cross science students and faculty.

“Many of our STEM students regularly serve in the Worcester Public Schools or Nativity School of Worcester as volunteer mentors and tutors, and others have given science or math lectures and demonstrations,” said Charles Weiss, director of grants and foundation giving.  “This grant will serve as a strong incentive for them to invest themselves in the teaching profession. It is our hope and belief that upon graduation many of these students will stay in Worcester and find productive and fulfilling teaching careers in our schools.”

The College will provide continued support of Noyce scholars through their first years as teachers by facilitating classroom observations, one-on-one meetings with faculty mentors, e-mentoring opportunities with faculty and alumni, and professional development workshops.  Students who obtain positions within the Worcester Public Schools will also have access to the City’s highly regarded week-long teacher induction program.

“Studies show that between 40 and 50 percent of new teachers leave the profession within five years, but that mentoring and support programs can dramatically increase teacher retention,” said Danuta Bukatko, Joseph H. Maguire ’58 Professor in Education.  “By offering peer networking opportunities, access to master teachers, and mentoring from Holy Cross faculty, we hope to improve the experiences of new teachers and keep more qualified STEM educators in the classrooms.”

Five members of the Holy Cross faculty will oversee the activities of the grant, including Bukatko; Beverley Bell, director of the Teacher Education Program; Daniel Bitran, associate professor of psychology and science coordinator; Catherine Roberts, associate professor of mathematics; and Janine Shertzer, professor of physics.  Several components of the project will be conducted in collaboration with the Worcester Public Schools.

Since its founding, Holy Cross has been a recognized leader in undergraduate science education. Committed to a tradition of innovative teaching in science and math, the College recently completed construction on the first phase of a $65 million science complex, which will offer many more opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and learning in the sciences, social sciences, and mathematics.