STEM-Plus: Louisiana Tech University's Noyce Scholarship Program

Fifteen undergraduate STEM majors and six post-baccalaureate STEM professionals are being selected to receive financial support while undertaking studies leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Three cohorts of five undergraduates are being awarded annual scholarships of $15,000 during their senior and post-baccalaureate years; the six STEM professionals returning to earn teacher certification a one year stipend of $35,000. The undergraduates are concurrently enrolled in 12 credit hours of graduate education courses during their senior year. During a post-baccalaureate year, these students earn the MAT degree. The returning STEM professionals earn the MAT degree within one year and obtain alternate teacher certification. Features of the project include a working model for collaboration between the College of Engineering and Sciences and the College of Education and a senior year capstone project that is integrating each student's STEM knowledge with the teaching practicum. Additionally, ongoing programs are providing freshmen and sophomores with an introduction to teaching as a possible career choice.