National Science Foundation Awards St. Edward’s University a $1.2 Million Grant

AUSTIN, Texas — The National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program has awarded St. Edward’s University a more than $1.18 million grant for scholarships aimed at recruiting, preparing and supporting middle and high school math and science teachers. 

“Ultimately, the grant is aimed at providing quality STEM teachers for Texas schools,” said Steven Fletcher, associate professor of Secondary Education and the grant’s principal investigator. “We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for their commitment to STEM education and the preparation of students across Texas and the nation.”

The five-year grant will provide two years of funding for 18 St. Edward’s undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) majors who add a teacher education minor to become certified in either grades 4–8 or 7–12 math or science teaching and includes additional incentives throughout the recruitment, preparation, and early careers of those selected.

Partners involved in this effort include the St. Edward’s School of Natural Sciences, Breakthrough Central Texas, Del Valle ISD, The University of Texas at Austin, and Co.Lab Community Makers.  

To recruit participants, the grant provides 12 interested students a year with an initial summer stipend to try out the profession through a 6-week teaching internship. Breakthrough Central Texas, a nonprofit that creates a pathway to and through college for students who will become the first in their families to earn a college degree, will partner for this effort.  

After the summer teaching internship, those who remain committed to teaching in high need schools are invited to apply for one of the scholarship slots and, if selected, take coursework in education along with their major. Noyce scholars will have the opportunity to travel to STEM education conferences, receive professional coaching from a STEM teacher expert, attend monthly professional development training and receive $40,000 to cover tuition costs over a two-year period.  

A unique element of the grant also includes a focus on “maker education” and “making”. “Making” is an iterative process of design and fabrication that relies on developing digital literacy and skills with various equipment and tools, from using a power tool to programming a project for a 3D printer. Science and math teachers who integrate making into their regular lessons develop important skills in their students, including a growth mindset and increased enthusiasm for finding solutions to difficult problems. 

“The goal is to build a regional STEM teacher workforce that will bring project-based learning and other contemporary teaching strategies to local schools through making and other teaching strategies.” Fletcher added.  

To accomplish this goal, the project includes a commitment to supporting early-career teachers who graduate from the program in their first three years with a community of other new STEM teachers with an interest in making. Planned in collaboration with the UTeach Maker program at

UT Austin, project leaders will develop and lead monthly professional development workshops for both UT Austin and St. Edward’s graduates to develop community, share teaching strategies, and provide mentorship from experienced educators. 

“This award is evidence of St. Edward’s commitment to developing a well-prepared teacher workforce,” said Glenda Ballard, dean of the School of Human Development and Education. “We are excited for the opportunity to engage in this important work and to enlist our partners in the regional Austin community in this effort.”

The St. Edward’s University teacher preparation program offers teaching certification in grades 4–8 and 7–12 Mathematics; 7–12 Biology;  7–12 Chemistry; and 7–12 Physics/Mathematics. 

For more information on the program and scholarships, contact Fletcher at stevenf@stedwards.edu or 512-637-5673. Scholarships will be available in the Fall of 2021 after an initial planning year.

About the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program encourages talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors and professionals to become K–12 STEM teachers. The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.