KINGSTON, R.I. – April 17, 2019 – URI’s School of Education was awarded its second National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program for $1.2 million in May 2019 to recruit, prepare, and mentor teachers of science and mathematics over the next five years.

The award provides $15,000 scholarships to20 juniors and seniors double-majoring in education and a science or mathematics. It also provides $35,000 a year to a STEM career changer seeking teacher certification.

As a loan-forgiveness program, students agree to teach in a high-need school district for two years for each year of support after they earn their teaching degree.

The scholarship also provides paid summer internships for URI freshmen and sophomores to work with children and youth in informal science and mathematics settings.

“The scholarship program is instrumental in recruiting students who major in a STEM area to consider a career in K-12 teaching,” said Anne Seitsinger, associate dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, and the grant’s lead PI.

She added that the program also provides mentoring to Noyce Scholars for three years since they are beginning teachers.

The first Robert Noyce Teacher scholarship award for $1.4 million award was given to URI in 2013 to recruit and support 25 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers are now teaching in five states.

The grant continues until April 2024.

About the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies) – As URI’s only two-campus college, with locations in both Kingston and Providence, the College provides a scholarly and experiential learning environment for students across their lifespan, preparing teachers, adult learners, and professionals to be leaders in their careers and in the community.