Maryland Congressional Team Announces Nearly $1.2 Million for Bowie State University to Support Diverse STEM Teacher Pipeline

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) today announced $1,194,815 for Bowie State University to help to build the diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher workforce in Prince George’s County. Awarded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, this federal funding will be administered over the next five years in partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS).

This program will encourage Bowie State STEM majors to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers in Prince George’s County public schools, filling a significant shortage. Program activities will include internships, scholarships, training, and mentoring.

“Our educational system relies on a robust pipeline of teachers who are passionate about preparing the next generation of leaders, knowledgeable about their subject matter, and demographically representative of the communities they serve,” said the lawmakers. “Bowie State University has a long history of preparing students for excellence in STEM and working to reduce the underrepresentation of minorities in these fields. We look forward to the results of this partnership and will continue to fight for federal funding for similar programming throughout Maryland. These type of federal resources help us meet the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission to diversify our teacher pipeline.”

“As Maryland’s first historically black university, Bowie State University is proud to expand our ongoing partnership with the Prince George’s County Public Schools to grow the pipeline of highly qualified, diverse STEM educators and enrich the learning experiences of young people in the state of Maryland,” said Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux. “This partnership will develop effective STEM educators from Bowie State, who will cultivate the next generation of innovators and prepare them to succeed in a global economy.”

“As we prepare students in Prince George’s County Public Schools for the STEM jobs of the future, we need a diverse pool of educators to share their knowledge and expertise,” said PGCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson. “We appreciate the opportunity to build on our partnership with Bowie State University and increase the pipeline of high-quality teachers in our schools. This program is an important investment in our students and teacher workforce.”

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science (including engineering and computer science) teachers. The program invites creative and innovative proposals that address the critical need for recruiting and preparing highly effective elementary and secondary science and mathematics teachers in high-need local educational agencies.

NSF supports research, innovation, and discovery that provides the foundation for economic growth in this country. By advancing the frontiers of science and engineering, our nation can develop the knowledge and cutting edge technologies needed to address the challenges we face today and will face in the future.