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 inquiry-based 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 $12,000. The direct workshop cost must have $10,000 in matching funds by cash or in-kind services provided by the school districts participating and/or Arkansas college or university, the Arkansas Department of Education, or other educational organization collaborating on the project. No indirect costs will be allowed in the requested funding, but may be used for match requirements.
Eligible Applicants
Math and Science Educational Resource Centers affiliated with an institution of higher education in the State of Arkansas, Department of Education Cooperatives, public schools, or educational foundations and organizations may apply for this award. Applications are evaluated by an STEM Advisory Committee composed of industry professionals with STEM expertise, educational experts, and other relevant education stakeholders.
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