NSF grant to launch undergrads from Case Western Reserve into math and science teaching

Students who participate in the Noyce summer internships are given preference during scholarship selection.

Mentoring

The centerpiece of the Noyce Program is a new mentoring model called the "reflective triad," which taps into the talents of high school teachers from the partner schools—Cleveland Heights High School, Shaker Heights High School and the new Cleveland Metropolitan STEM schools—and university STEM faculty with experience in K-12 education.

These three groups—the student, Case Western Reserve faculty and high school teachers—will form cohorts and work together towards a new model of teacher training with the goal to invigorate STEM education.

While the state licensure program mandates new teacher mentoring, the Noyce program will provide opportunities that augment existing efforts.

Post-graduation Follow-up

Mentoring continues after graduation through web-based resources for interactive conferences.

Students will have periodic opportunities to interact with mentors, faculty and peers after graduation. The university will chart the progress and success of these Noyce scholars after graduation, and seek their input for program review.

"It has been shown that beginning teachers who are mentored are more effective teachers in their early years," Bernetich said.

"As students become proficient teachers, they will serve as role models and mentors to succeeding generations of teachers, increasing the impact of this program," Bernetich added.

Bernetich will administer the program with co-project investigators James Bader, a lecturer in biology and director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) which brings many K-12 programs to campus; David Singer, professor of mathematics and former director of an NSF program to train math teachers; and Princilla Evans-Morris, chair of the department of chemistry at Fisk. Molly W. Berger, associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, led the effort.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case Western Reserve is distinguished by its strengths in education, research, service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case Western Reserve offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work.

http://www.case.edu.