Increasing the Number of Highly-Qualified Biology and Mathematics Secondary Teachers in the Joliet, Illinois Area

圣弗朗西斯大学（USF） Track 1 Noyce项目将为有才华的STEM本科专业学生提供奖学金和津贴，让他们在高需求的高中从事教学工作。该项目旨在通过培养和指导至少24名新的STEM教师，解决Joliet/大芝加哥地区对高效中学STEM教师的迫切需求。特别是，USF将通过增加成功完成生物和数学执照的STEM专业的人数来增加中学生物和数学教师的数量。该项目还将通过基于证据的实践、高需求教室的实地经验、非正式科学教育机会、额外的教学和研究机会以及STEM和教育教师的指导，提高学者作为教师和教师领导者的有效性。USF Noyce项目将为至少24名来自Joliet初级学院的本科生和转学生提供学术奖学金和夏季津贴。学者们将通过USF的教师认证途径，一个严格的4+1计划，在STEM和教师教育方面获得出色的准备。这笔资金将用于完成数学或生物学本科学位的最后两年学习，以及获得中等教育工作者执照的教育硕士学位的额外一年学习。此外，该项目还将让学者参与STEM课程教育和领导机会，如STEM服务学习项目、在夏令营教授STEM、本科研究以及参加地方和/或国家会议。USF Noyce Scholar教师将在毕业后通过在线专业学习社区接受STEM和教育教师和校友的两年指导。项目评估和其他研究将有助于在高需求学校培养STEM教师和留住新教师的知识体系。结果将在区域和国家会议上传播。一份突出“学者”经历的通讯将分发给地区高需求学校的校长。芝加哥地区的几所学校将受益于24名新的STEM教师。USF Noyce学者将做好充分准备，将STEM融入数学和生物教学以及通过课外活动，从而培养传统上代表性不足的学生的STEM素养，这些学生可能会受到启发，在STEM领域从事职业。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The University of St. Francis (USF) Track 1 Noyce project will provide scholarships and stipends for talented undergraduate STEM majors to pursue teaching careers in high-need high schools. The project aims to address the critical need for highly effective secondary STEM teachers in the Joliet/Greater Chicago region by preparing and mentoring at least 24 new STEM teachers. In particular, USF will increase the number of secondary biology and mathematics teachers by increasing the number of STEM majors successfully completing biology and mathematics licensure. The project will also increase the effectiveness of Scholars as teachers and teacher leaders through evidence-based practices, field experiences in high-needs classrooms, informal science education opportunities, additional teaching and research opportunities, and mentoring from STEM and education faculty. The USF Noyce project will provide at least 24 undergraduate and transfer students from Joliet Junior College academic scholarships and and summer stipends. Scholars will receive excellent preparation in STEM and teacher education via USF's teacher certification pathway, a rigorous 4+1 program. Funding will support the final two years of the undergraduate degree in mathematics or biology and an additional year leading to the Master of Education degree with Secondary Educator Licensure. In addition, the project will engage Scholars in co-curricular STEM education and leadership opportunities, such as STEM service learning projects, teaching STEM in a summer camp, undergraduate research, and participation in local and/or national conferences. USF Noyce Scholar teachers will be mentored by STEM and Education faculty and alumni for two years post-graduation via an online Professional Learning Community. Program evaluation and other research studies will contribute to the body of knowledge on STEM teacher preparation and new teacher retention in high needs schools. Results will be disseminated at regional and national conferences. A newsletter that highlights Scholars' experiences will be distributed to principals in regional high-needs schools. Several Chicago area schools will benefit from the addition of 24 new STEM teachers. USF Noyce Scholars will be well prepared to integrate STEM into mathematics and biology instruction as well as via co-curricular activities, thus fostering STEM literacy in traditionally underrepresented students who may be inspired to pursue careers in STEM fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.