ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Northrop Grumman Foundation have joined together to promote student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through a comprehensive education initiative, the Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy. Launched today, the Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy is a program for middle school science, engineering and technology teachers (grades 5-8) designed to help enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence in science, engineering and technology, while increasing teacher understanding about the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce. The Academy will initially support 25 teachers located in school districts in select Northrop Grumman communities.
“We are very excited about the Academy and its potential impact to expand and enhance the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, Northrop Grumman vice president, Global Corporate Responsibility and president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “Our educators are fundamental to creating and sustaining our children’s interest in STEM and we hope the Academy will support that effort.”
“We need to cultivate an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math at an early age, and our nation’s teachers are the primary agents for establishing a foundation and preparing students for success in a technology-driven workforce,” said NSTA Executive Director Dr. David Evans. “The Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy gives teachers the opportunity to translate hands-on experience in a high-tech environment to an effective classroom program, which will enhance student engagement and provide examples of how their learning is linked to future career options.”
Through the program, selected teachers—who will be known as Teacher Fellows—will participate in a year-long immersion in a host of science-, engineering-, and technology-related activities and professional learning opportunities. During their fellowship, recipients will:
- Participate in a five-day workshop at a Northrop Grumman facility during the summer of 2016, where they will discuss teaching strategies for integrating effective and authentic engineering design practices in their classroom;
- Attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Nashville, March 31-April 3, where they will engage in the latest instructional practices related to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); and
- Participate in a two-week summer externship at a Northrop Grumman facility, where they will be paired with an engineer/technologist to observe daily activities and learn the foundational and industry-specific skills required for success in the field.
After completing the externship, the Teacher Fellows will develop a lesson plan, strategy, or activity linked to the thematic area of their externship experience that they will implement as part of their classroom curriculum the following school year. The Teacher Fellows will also receive a comprehensive NSTA membership package and an opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional learning activities, including a specially designated online learning community.
Middle school physical science teachers, located in school districts in select Northrop Grumman communities, who have at least two years of middle school teaching experience and have a strong desire to advance STEM education and apply real-world applications in the classroom, can apply to become a Teacher Fellow. For more information about the Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy or to learn how to apply, visit the Academy website. Applications must be submitted no later than November 20, 2015.
About Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation
Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. They provide funding to sustainable STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. In 2014, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued outreach efforts by contributing $15.9 million to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), Conservation International (ECO Classroom), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics), NSTA and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
