ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) New Science Teacher Academy, a yearlong program focused on encouraging and supporting early-career science educators, announced the selection of 35 middle and secondary science teachers from across the country as Fellows in this year’s Academy. The Fellows—science teachers from Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington, D.C.—will participate in a host of science-related activities and professional learning opportunities.
“We take tremendous pride in this year’s cohort of Fellows,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA Executive Director. “They are motivated, they are passionate about science, and they are deeply committed to developing their skills as teachers so that they can, not only bolster student achievement, but also better inspire passion for science in their students.”
This year, Lockheed Martin and the Bayer USA Foundation are supporting the 35 new science teachers selected as Fellows in the program. Lockheed Martin is funding the participation of 30 science teachers as Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellows, while the Bayer USA Foundation is sponsoring Bayer-NSTA Fellowships for five New Jersey-based science teachers.
“We believe a strong professional development program is vital to the success of new STEM teachers,” said Brad Fisher, Lockheed Martin’s Director of Community Relations. “We are proud to support NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy and applaud the fellows’ commitment to educate and inspire our nation’s future scientists and engineers.”
“For more than 20 years, Bayer has been investing in quality science education and teacher professional development through our company-wide Making Science Make Sense® initiative,” said Sarah Toulouse, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Bayer Corporation, and Executive Director, Bayer USA Foundation. “We believe that by supporting teachers, we are helping to ensure today’s students are fully prepared to participate in the innovation economy, and it’s why we value the National Science Teachers Association and its New Science Teacher Academy.”
The Fellows were selected on the basis of criteria, including showing evidence of a solid science background and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. During their fellowship, recipients will receive:
- A discipline-specific mentor;
- Access to a facilitated web-based curriculum devoted to content and classroom pedagogy;
- An opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional learning activities, including a specially designated online learning community;
- Financial support to attend the NSTA 2016 National Conference on Science Education in Los Angeles; and
- A comprehensive NSTA membership package.
About the New Science Teachers Academy
Launched during the spring of 2007, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy was designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Since its inception, the Academy has provided high-quality professional learning opportunities to 1,300 science teachers nationwide.
For a list of the 2016-2017 Fellows or to learn more about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, visit www.nsta.org/academy.
About the National Science Teachers Association
The Arlington, Virginia-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, preschool through college. NSTA’s membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business representatives, and others involved in science education.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
About Bayer, Bayer USA Foundation and Making Science Make Sense®
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
The Bayer USA Foundation is an endowed 501(c)(3) entity with a programmatic focus on education and workforce development, and environment and sustainability. The Foundation supports organizations that enhance quality of life, connect diverse groups, ensure preparedness for tomorrow’s leaders, and improve communities in which Bayer employees live and work. The Bayer USA Foundation is one of three Bayer foundations worldwide, including the Bayer Science & Education Foundation and the Bayer Cares Foundation.
Making Science Make Sense® is Bayer’s award-winning, company-wide initiative that advances science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science education, employee volunteerism and public education. For more information, please visit MakingScienceMakeSense.com.
