Monday, March 10, 2025
DENTON (UNT), Texas 鈥� The is working to address the national shortage of science, engineering and mathematics educators with a $2.4 million grant earned from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The six-year project, led by the in collaboration with the and , aims to recruit, prepare and retain future STEM teachers for grades 6-12.
UNT's Colleen Eddy, the project鈥檚 principal investigator and associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Administration.
The program began in Fall 2024 with UNT鈥檚 inaugural Teaching Fellow Signing Day, celebrating the first Noyce STEM Teaching Fellow. Noyce STEM Teaching Fellows are STEM professionals and graduates who receive funding and training to become certified secondary STEM educators, committing to teaching in high-need schools.
鈥淲e hope this program can serve as a model for universities seeking to address STEM teacher shortages, offering a replicable blueprint for supporting STEM teaching fellows and establishing a sustainable teacher pipeline,鈥� said , the project鈥檚 principal investigator and associate professor in the .
UNT co-principal investigators include , professor of mechanical engineering, and , associate professor of mathematics.
The offers a support package valued at $80,000 per student, covering the cost of earning a Master of Education in Teaching with secondary teacher certification in mathematics or science and a salary stipend during their first four years of teaching.
Grant activities began in Summer 2024 with a free STEM camp at Denton High School, where high school students explored video game design, bridge construction and energy systems. The camp was led by UNT seniors and recent graduates serving as interns while preparing careers in STEM education.
Joshua Maverick Azarcon, first official Noyce STEM Teaching Fellow. A biomedical engineering graduate.
One of the interns, Joshua Maverick Azarcon, became the . A biomedical engineering graduate, Azarcon rediscovered his passion for teaching during the camp. Azarcon will complete his coursework and a paid internship within two years before committing to four years of teaching in a high-need school district.
鈥淲hen I was in second grade, I wanted to be a teacher. After years of studying engineering, I realized that teaching might be my true calling,鈥� Azarcon said.
The UNT Noyce program is focused on serving underrepresented populations in STEM, including students from low-income backgrounds, racial and ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, and those who may be the first in their families to attend college. Teaching fellows will receive mentorship from 天美传媒app免费版下载 STEM faculty and collaborate with peers to ensure success during their first years in the classroom.
The project brings together UNT faculty, Denton ISD, and nonprofit organizations such as , and the .
鈥淏y addressing critical teacher shortages and fostering a culture of mentorship, UNT is shaping the future of STEM education in Texas and beyond,鈥� said , interim dean of UNT鈥檚 College of Education. 鈥淭his program reflects our commitment to equipping educators with the tools and support they need to inspire the next generation of innovators.鈥�
From 鈥� STEM educators