The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Track 1
What is NOYCE?
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), provides grants to higher education institutions to recruit and prepare talented STEM majors interested to become effective K-12 STEM teachers. The program here at Kean focuses on increasing the number of STEM teachers to teach in high schools in high-need school districts here in New Jersey.
Kean University’s Dorothy Hennings College of Education and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology are excited to partner in the development and execution of this five-year, 1.2 million-dollar grant. Kean’s Noyce Project focuses on active learning and constructive pedagogy.
The NSF funding for our project will offer mentorship, support, and scholarships to students during junior and senior year of their Bachelors degree programs. Participants are recruited from B.A. Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Mathematics Education. Each year, we recruit a cohort of scholars who are rising juniors and transfer students.
Noyce Principle Investigator:
Dr. Laura Lorentzen
Biology Department Chair
George Hennings Research Science Building C-124
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Track 1 Scholar Perks
The NOYCE grant at Kean University offers numerous benefits to juniors and seniors majoring in STEM Education degree programs. Scholars are a apart of the national community of Noyce! Participants are mentored by Kean faculty and master teachers from partner high schools and gain access to professional development opportunities, including seminars, annual conferences, and an online resource hub. They also engage in classroom observation and student teaching at partner high schools in the Union School District or the Lakewood School District, with job placement opportunities in a “Tomorrow’s Teachers” partner district designated as a high-needs school district. Additionally, the program provides $11,200 per year in scholarship funds during junior and senior years, with the commitment to teach high school for four years in a high-needs school district in New Jersey after graduation. Current members of the grant project team include the principal investigator, Laura Lorentzen, Ph.D., Chair of the Biology Department, and Co-principal investigators Louis Beaugris, Ph.D., Chair of the Mathematics Department; Gail Verdi, Ph.D., Chair of Bilingual, TESOL and World Languages Department and from the Kean Ocean Campus, College of Education, Patricia McDermitt, MA.
Noyce Scholarship Students at Kean University must meet the following criteria for scholarship funding:
- Sitting Sophomores apply by Spring yearly
- B.A Biology Education (with or without TSD)
- B.A Earth Science Education
- B.A Chemistry Education
- B.A Mathematical Sciences Education (with or without TSD)
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- US Citizens, US Nationals, or permanent residents status required
- Two letters of reference (at least one must be by a Kean professor; incoming transfer students can have references from faculty at their current college)
Essay on applicant’s motivation to teach high school science or mathematics. Competitive applicants will be invited to interview. Successful applicants will start as Noyce Scholars in the Fall of Junior Year.
PLC and NOYCE Mentors
The Professional Learning Community (PLC) consists of mentors, Noyce Scholars, teachers from our partner high schools, and project leadership team members. The PLC is responsible for providing mentorship, orientation, and training to fulfill grant requirements. A key focus is on incorporating Constructivist Pedagogy into the training experiences of the scholars. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for engagement in research activities related to the program project. The following Kean faculty members serve as mentors for our Noyce Scholars: Drs. Lucas Kirby, Jesus Ballesteros, Louis Beaugris, Israel Curbello, Karen Woodruff, and Lauren Schiller.
North East Professional Learning Network
Kean University’s Noyce is part of the Northeast Noyce Professional Learning Network that spans colleges & universities with Noyce Programs from Maine to Delaware. The goals focus on fostering collaboration and innovation among Noyce participants in STEM education, promoting justice through STEM, supporting early-career STEM teachers with professional development and mentorship, enhancing program improvement through shared leadership, and encouraging new program proposals from institutions with no experience.
Dr. Lorentzen and NOYCE Scholars Hailey Kassteen and Aliyah Wilson attended the 2024 Northeast Noyce Regional Conference in Boston, joining nearly 250 NOYCE members. They connected with the NOYCE community, drew inspiration from keynote speakers, and participated in breakout sessions and the STEM share-a-thon.
Partnerships
In partnership with the Dorothy Hennings College of Education and George Hennings College of Sciences, Math, and Technology, Kean University will offer scholarships to 28 Kean students over the 5-year project in STEM teacher education disciplines. Participating school districts include: