STEM Professional Development Program
Purpose
The purpose of the STEM Professional Development Program is to promote and fund “special focus” workshops that will serve teachers in Arkansas school districts needing specialized STEM training. The workshops should be curriculum based in STEM subjects and utilize innovative teaching techniques that include hands-on activities. The participating STEM teachers should leave the workshop equipped to enhance classroom learning and to promote STEM career awareness. The workshop should offer training and/or resources that are currently not available to the targeted teachers. The program will also fund post-workshop activities such as, but not limited to, teacher fellowships for individual professional development support, follow-up activities in the participating school districts, or additional outreach efforts.
Program Description
The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority supports a competitive cash-matching grant project for the STEM Professional Development Program. The objectives of the grant program are to promote and support the delivery of professional development to science and mathematics teachers in Arkansas school districts needing training in both STEM instructional techniques and improvement of STEM curriculum. The focal point of each workshop provided shall depend on the identified areas of special need in STEM curriculum requiring enhanced professional development services.
The goals of this program are to: 1) enhance significantly the capacity of teachers (schools) to provide a challenging curriculum for students, 2) encourage more relevant, inquiry-driven, hands-on activities and instructional methods, and 3) promote the development of a cadre of STEM teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources to enhance STEM curriculum and STEM career awareness in public schools.
Type of Awards
The Authority will provide funds for a professional development workshop(s) in an amount up to $10,000 and an additional amount up to $2,000 in post-workshop expenses. The total will not exceed $12,000. The direct workshop cost must have fifty percent (50%) matching funds by cash or in-kind services provided by the school districts participating and/or college or university collaborating in the project.
Eligible Users
Math and Science Educational Resource Center affiliated with an institution of higher education in the State of Arkansas. Applications are evaluated by an STEM Advisory Committee composed of industry professionals with STEM expertise, educational experts, and other relevant education stakeholders.
How to Participate
This is a competitive grant with proposal submission deadlines of October 16, 2008 and the first Monday of February.
The following forms are pdf documents and require
the free Adobe Reader to view, print, or submit:
Guidelines for STEM Professional Development program
Application for STEM Professional Development program
For questions regarding the application process contact:
Becky Hart
becky.hart@arkansas.gov
501 682 8187
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