Giving Back: SEA and BEST Grants Provide Many Opportunities

Adelphi’s Ruth S. Ammon School of Education will be at the forefront of improving science education on Long Island and New York through two very highly prestigious grants

by Vithusha Balachandran

Based on a successful collaboration by Tracy Hogan, Ph.D., Daryl Gordon, Ph.D., Diana Schwinge, Ph.D., and Beth Christensen, Ph.D., the University is accepting applications for Project BEST: Bilingual Educators in Science and Technology and the Science Education Advancement (SEA) Program/NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. While the programs provide many opportunities to give back to high needs communities, they also offer many resources and benefits for its candidates.

“The scope of educational reach of both Project BEST and The Adelphi Robert F. Noyce/NSF Science Education Advancement (SEA) Program will provide important contributions to the much needed effort to increase the quality and quantity of highly qualified science teachers serving students in high needs schools both on Long Island and across the state of New York,” Dr. Hogan said.

Adelphi is the only institution of higher education on Long Island and one of only 11 in New York State to receive the New York State Race to the Top funding to create a clinically rich teacher preparation program. The BEST grant selects a group of 16 graduate students who will be certified in science education (in their respective discipline) with a bilingual extension for grades 7–12. The chosen candidates will begin their residency in an 11-month accelerated program guided by teacher-mentors in collaboration with the Roosevelt and Westbury school districts.

The federal grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to implement the SEA Program/NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship will provide both funding and support for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP) who are also interested in science education. Noyce scholars receive three years of funding toward the completion of a master’s degree in adolescence education, leading to initial New York State certification for grades 7-12 in chemistry, biology, earth science or physics. Upon completion, Noyce scholars are obligated to teach for two years for each year of scholarship received, seeking employment in a high-needs school setting. The rigorous course work will take place in the Westbury and Roosevelt school districts.

Both programs provide a wealth of benefits including the opportunity to earn a master’s degree, mentorship with renowned professionals and a substantial living allowance. BEST scholars will receive a $40,000 scholarship to use toward their living expenses and tuition for participating in the program.

In addition, Noyce scholars will have the opportunity to engage in two field experiences—one working with a professional marine educator on Long Island and the other studying the rainforest ecosystems in Australia—with a paid summer internship working with naturalists and students grades 8–12 at the Nassau BOCES Environmental Education Nature Explore Classroom. Funding for the SEA program was given in September 2011 and classes are scheduled to begin Summer 2012.

For more information about Project BEST and SEA, or to learn how to apply, please contact Dr. Hogan or visit our web site.