NSF gives SUNY Fredonia $500,000 to send teachers to high-need schools

The National Science Foundation is funding a four-year, $495,800 grant through its Robert Noyce Scholarship Program to attract SUNY Fredonia student teachers to jobs in high-need schools, either in rural or metropolitan areas. The Noyce scholarship recipients will also receive special incentives once they graduate and go to work.

This fall, SUNY Fredonia will begin offering 14 scholarships per year worth $7,500 each to juniors or seniors who are enrolled in teaching certification programs for biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, or physics. It has an additional $80,000 to recruit new students into teaching in high-need districts, and to offer them professional development services once they graduate.

“We’re very excited,” said Dr. Joseph Straight, a Professor of Mathematical Sciences at SUNY Fredonia who worked on the grant. “This is a tribute to the quality of Fredonia’s science and education programs.”

The grant application was developed by Dr. Straight, Dr. Holly Lawson from chemistry, and Education Professors Michael Jabot and Jamar Pickreign. Drs. Jabot and Pickreign are co-principal investigators of the grant, meaning they will administer the program over the next four years.

SUNY Fredonia officials expect the Noyce Scholarships to increase the number of students who choose to major in mathematics or science, pursue teacher certification in these areas, and then go on to teach in high-need school districts. “It is important to point out that schools identified as high-need include many in smaller urban and rural areas, in addition to those in large urban areas,” said Dr. Jabot.

A 16-person advisory board comprised of SUNY Fredonia faculty and staff members and representatives from the teaching profession will oversee the project. Notable board members include: Jeanne Pendl, science coordinator at Dunkirk Public Schools; Jessica Reilly, mathematics coordinator at Jamestown Public Schools; Susan Sandmeyer, professor (emeritus) of mathematics at Jamestown Community College; Paul Savino, professor and chairperson of chemistry at Erie Community College; and Thomas Shiland, president-elect of the Science Teachers Association of New York State.

For more information, call Dr. Straight at 716-673-4825 or visit the Fredonia Noyce Scholarship Program website.