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Noyce Track 2 Planning Grant Building a Community of STEM Educators ** FAQ’S **

The Noyce Track 2 grant is a multimillion dollar NSF grant that provides for scholarships for postbaccalaureate teacher candidates (Teacher Fellows) and for professional learning for Master Teacher Fellows who will participate in the education of the Teacher Fellows. Teacher Fellows also become teacher-leaders in their schools. The ultimate goal is improvement of learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education for K-12 students. The purpose of this committee is to put together a Noyce Track 2 proposal.
 * What is the Noyce Track 2 grant?**

Master Teacher Fellows (MTF’s) are in-service teachers with an undergraduate degree in a STEM field and who already hold a masters degree (can be in education or related field). Teacher Fellows (TF’s) are post-baccalaureate Middle Grades MAT students. They must hold a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
 * What is the difference between Master Teacher Fellows and Teacher Fellows?**

No. However, we are going to apply for a second, and possibly third grant, which hopefully will allow us to include our excellent middle level teachers who do not have STEM degrees.
 * Can teachers without a STEM degree be Master Teacher Fellows?**

The requirements of the Noyce Track 2 grant are broad. The NSF reviewed our proposal and has provided the unique opportunity for us to spend a year planning our final Noyce Track 2 proposal. We are aiming specifically at Middle Level education, grades 4-8, since a great deal of research has demonstrated that improving STEM learning in these grades is crucial for students.
 * What is the Noyce Track 2 Planning Grant?**

There are three areas we are concentrating on.
 * What are the goals of the Planning Grant?**


 * 1) Innovative teacher preparation. We are designing a seminar for all MGMAT candidates, not just those supported by Noyce scholarships. This seminar will include Master Teacher Fellows, University science, mathematics and education faculty. We are calling this the Professional Learning Community, to coin a phrase.
 * 2) Professional development of Master Teacher Fellows. Master Teacher Fellows will have a separate seminar to support them as mentors, both to MGMAT candidates and to colleagues within their schools.
 * 3) Increase community and parent awareness and support of STEM education.
 * 4) Of course the ultimate goal is increasing achievement in STEM subjects for middle grades students.


 * How are we planning to achieve these goals?**


 * 1) Innovative teacher preparation. We have a committee which we call the PLC Seminar Committee.
 * 2) Professional development of Master Teacher Fellows. We actually have three committees working on this.
 * 3) Teacher Mentoring Committee – This committee will focus on developing the mentoring skills of MTF’s. We have the Cheche Konnen Center as consultants.
 * 4) Professional Development Committee – This committee will focus on developing a standards-based, project-based engineering curriculum for middle grades (grades 4-8).
 * 5) Schools/University/Community Liaison – Since collaboration is essential, we have a team working specifically on this issue.

Non-Profit Organizations Committee - The grant requires that we have a non-profit organization as collaborator. We are working with Digital Bridges of Baldwin County, and hope to finalize our collaboration. Other partners are being sought.
 * Community and parent involvement**


 * Improving STEM achievement for middle grades students** - All committees


 * What are the other committees?**

We need other committees to develop accountability required by NSF, and also to design selection policies for MTF’s and TF’s.

Matching funds Committee – We must develop a plan to obtain 50% matching funds. These may be in-kind.

Recruitment Committee – We must develop a plan to recruit MTF’s and TF’s

Accountability/Commitment Committee – TF’s will receive $60,000 over five years, and MTF’s $50,000. NSF has requirements for return of stipends should TF’s and MTF’s not fulfill their agreed upon obligations.

Assessment Committee – We must develop an assessment plan for the Noyce Track 2 proposal.

The Noyce Track 2 grant requires many facets be coordinated. Forming a vibrant collaborative will greatly increase our chances of its being awarded.
 * Why do we have so many committees?**

(History)

(Partnership)- includes embedded list of partners)