The University of Northern Iowa has been awarded nearly $5 million from the National Science Foundation to lead a new initiative aimed at strengthening STEM education in rural elementary schools. The five-year grant of $4,918,593 will fund the National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program: Midwest Alliance for Rural Elementary Science. The award period started Oct. 1 and extends through Sept. 30, 2030. UNI faculty member Dana Atwood-Blaine will serve as principal investigator, collaborating with colleagues from the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University. “Through this program, we have the opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the work of rural STEM teachers who are making a lasting impact on their students and communities,” Atwood-Blaine said in a prepared statement. The National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program is designed to elevate the teaching profession by recognizing and rewarding outstanding STEM educators working in high-need classrooms. As part of the Midwest Alliance, UNI and its partner institutions will identify and support a cohort of 18 teachers committed to advancing STEM learning. Selected teachers will receive professional development, mentorship and a $12,000 stipend every year for four years. Go here to learn more about the program.
