Virginia Commonwealth University Noyce Initiative
Educating Secondary Science Teachers for High Need Schools
2012-13 Noyce Scholars at the Virginia Association of Science Teachers annual Professional Development Institute
- Are you an outstanding science major searching for a meaningful career?
- Are you interested in teaching middle or high school science?
- Would you like to earn a master’s degree?
- Do you want a career that has a positive impact on society?
- Are you interested in a scholarship opportunity of $15,000 per year?
- Are you willing to commit two years of service as a secondary science teacher in a high need school?
Overview
VCU is excited to announce a collaborative effort between The School of Education and The College of Humanities and Sciences in partnership with area school districts including the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and the City of Hopewell to offer the opportunity for VCU science majors to become secondary science teachers. The Robert Noyce Scholarship, a National Science Foundation program, provides scholarship funds for talented science majors to become teachers in high need school districts.
Eligibility Requirements for a Noyce Scholar:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Major in biology, chemistry, environmental studies, physics or coursework to obtain licensure in those areas
- Passing scores on PRAXIS I or SAT scores of 1100 or higher (550 on Math)
- Passing scores on content PRAXIS II exam
- Commit to teaching science in a partner secondary school district for at least two years for every year funding is received
- US citizen or legal resident
The Benefits
As a Noyce Scholar you will
- receive a funding of up to $15,000 towards VCU’s Master of Teaching (MT) in the science degree program.
- experience a year-long clinical experience in a high needs school under the guidance of highly-trained master teachers (Noyce Teaching Fellows) from our partner districts.
- receive on-going mentor support from university faculty and during the first two years of teaching.
- become involved in a rich and ongoing community of secondary science teaching majors at VCU and nationally.
- enjoy privileges as a member of the National Science Teacher’s Association Foundation—VCU Student Chapter.
- take advantage of the opportunity to help those students who need you the most!
What is a High Need District?
A local educational agency that serves a secondary school located in an area in which there is…
- a high percentage of individuals from families with incomes below the poverty line
- a high percentage of secondary school teachers not teaching in the content area in which the teachers were trained to teach; or
- a high teacher turnover rate
How to Apply
Applications are available on our website: http://www.soe.vcu.edu/academics/tl/noyce_apply.html
A completed application packet will include:
- two letters of recommendation
- transcript (including fall 2012 grades)
- typed personal statement of at least 250 words
- a completed application
- admitted to or eligible for admission to Master of Teaching (M.T.) program
Deadline
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Further Information
Contact Dr. McDonnough, jtmcdonnough@vcu.edu; Dr. Baski, aabaski@vcu.edu; Dr. Hunnicutt, sshunnic@vcu.edu or Dr. Fox, cfox@vcu.edu
~funded by the National Science Foundation under grant DUE-0934552~
- A cutting-edge graduate urban teacher residency program designed to move theory to practice
