Science and Mathematics Teachers Initiative Phase 2: Continuing to Improve Teacher Preparation & Retention

在国家科学基金会罗伯特·诺伊斯教师奖学金计划的资助下，南卡罗来纳大学科学和数学教师计划第二阶段(USC-SMTI 2)将招收理科(生物、物理、化学)和数学学科的本科生，并为他们成为9-12年级的科学或数学教师做好准备。该项目将在五年内为18个奖学金和13个津贴提供资金。在这个项目中，南卡罗来纳大学将与中卡罗来纳技术学院(CCTC)以及该大学的Project Lead the Way项目合作。通过与CCTC的合作，我们的学者将获得基本3-D打印和平面设计方面的经验和培训，并将使用这些技能来设计基于项目的单元，这些单元可以在高需求的中学课堂上实施。此外，我们的学者将通过我们与Project Lead Way的合作获得工程和生物医学暑期培训机会。USC-SMTI 2项目将通过几项成功的数据验证活动招募和保留高质量的科学和数学教师，包括：1)研讨会课程，鼓励STEM专业的新学生考虑教授科学和数学；2)每月召开会议，支持学者在高需求地区实习和教学；3)为学者提供为期两年的入职介绍计划；3)对Noyce毕业生进行重点研究，以评估他们的指导、领导力和留存情况；以及4)通过与CCTC和Project Lead的合作，进行STEM技能培训。利用过去USC-SMTI第一阶段项目的研究经验，该计划将利用与高需求地区建立的合作伙伴关系，招聘、准备并确保高中科学和数学教师在入职年份取得成功。南加州大学还将通过跟踪和研究目前在高需求地区任教的Noyce毕业生来扩大USC-SMTI第一阶段项目的成果。这项研究将进一步调查南加州大学诺伊斯分校的研究型项目对学者作为教师和领导者的发展，以及最终对他们决定留在教师职业中的影响。该项目还将通过继续研究和开发创新的分层方法来影响国内和国际教师教育界，其中包括招聘STEM本科生，准备参加经认证的课程，开发基于项目的、技术丰富的教学，以及留住将在高需求地区任教的高素质数学和科学教师。通过项目评估得到验证的经验证据将改善教师教育，并在具有挑战性的环境中为不同人群保留高中科学和数学教师。这些知识还将解决南卡罗来纳州和大美国对高素质数学和科学教师的深刻和持久的需求。领导团队和合作伙伴将作为南加州大学参与公共土地赠与大学协会的一部分，以及通过专业组织和期刊文章传播成果。

With funding from the National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, the University of South Carolina Science and Mathematics Teachers Initiative Phase 2 (USC-SMTI 2) will recruit undergraduate majors in science (biology, physics, chemistry) and mathematics disciplines and prepare them to become grade 9-12 science or mathematics teachers. The project will fund 18 scholarships and 13 stipends over five years. In this project, the University of South Carolina will collaborate with Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) as well as the University's Project Lead the Way program. Through our collaboration with CCTC, our Scholars will gain experience and training in basic 3-D printing and graphic design, and will use these skills to design project-based units that they can implement in high-needs secondary classrooms. In addition, our Scholars will have access to engineering and biomedical summer training opportunities through our collaboration with Project Lead the Way.The USC-SMTI 2 project will recruit and retain high-quality science and mathematics teachers through several successful data-proven activities including: 1) a seminar class encouraging new STEM majors to consider teaching science and mathematics; 2) monthly meetings to support Scholars interning and teaching in high-needs districts; 3) a two-year induction program for Scholars; 3) a focused research study of Noyce graduates to assess their instruction, leadership, and retention, and 4) training in STEM skills through collaborations with CCTC and Project Lead the Way. Using research-based experience from its past USC-SMTI Phase 1 project, this program will leverage established partnerships with high-needs districts to recruit, prepare, and ensure success during induction years for high school science and mathematics teachers. USC will also expand on the USC-SMTI Phase 1 project findings by following and researching Noyce graduates who are now teaching in high-needs districts. This study will further investigate the impact of the research-based USC Noyce program on Scholars' development as teachers and leaders and ultimately, on their decisions to remain in the teaching profession. The project will also impact the national and international teacher education communities by continued research and development of an innovative tiered-approach that includes STEM underclassmen recruitment, preparation in accredited programs, development of project-based, technology-rich instruction, and retention of high-quality mathematics and science teachers who will teach in high-needs districts. Empirical evidence, validated through the project evaluation, will result in improved teacher education and retention for high school science and mathematics teachers for diverse populations within challenging settings. This knowledge will also address a deep and enduring need in South Carolina and the greater United States for high quality mathematics and science teachers. The leadership team and partners will disseminate results as part of USC's participation in the Association of Public Land-grant Universities imperative as well as through professional organizations and journal articles.