Seaman Middle School Science Teacher, Rob Jackson, was one of nine middle school teachers from eight states selected to participate in the prestigious National STEM Scholar Program, a unique professional development program that provides advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) training, national network building, and project support for middle school science teachers nationwide. The program’s purpose is to highlight innovative middle school science teachers, and to provide them with additional training and tools in order to attract more students to STEM fields.
Mr. Jackson recently spent a week at Western Kentucky University developing a unit to implement in his classroom. Part of the award includes a grant of up to two thousand dollars for laboratory equipment associated with the project he is developing. The workshop provided advanced training in science education, and it gave Mr. Jackson the opportunity to collaborate with nationally renowned science teachers as they all developed their STEM Scholar projects.
In addition to the grant and the workshop, Mr. Jackson also received a Chromebook laptop to facilitate the implementation of his project. In the spring of next year, he will also receive a fully funded trip to the National Science Teachers Association conference in Chicago where he and other STEM scholars will collaborate, analyze, and revise their projects. The funding for this award and the project comes from the National Stem Cell Foundation.
Dr. Paula Grisanti, CEO of the National Stem Cell Foundation, said, “Through our work with researchers and scientists nationwide, we became aware of the widening gap between 21st Century jobs and the U.S. STEM-educated graduates who can fill them. We added education to our mission in 2015 as a way to support the development of a new generation of scientists working to advance technology, build infrastructure and find cures for diseases and conditions that affect us all. Supporting teachers who inspire and motivate middle school students at this critical decision-making age will directly impact how many choose to pursue STEM skills that are essential for 21st Century jobs. By investing in the influential middle school STEM teacher now, we reach thousands of students in classrooms today and far into the future.”