I-STEM Resource Network awarded $442,956 grant

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University-based I-STEM Resource Network will receive $442,956 to continue its partnership with the South Bend Community School Corporation. The award is an Improving Teacher Quality Grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education. 

The funds provide continuation for “Creating a STEM Community of Practice,” a program with the South Bend schools, the I-STEM Resource Network, and Purdue’s colleges of Engineering and Education. The continuation of the grant will allow the addition of a new partner, Michigan City Schools.

South Bend teachers for grades 3-8 will work on the integration of science, mathematics, and engineering into the existing science curriculum. Goals of the partnership include developing STEM resource teachers in each school, new teacher mentoring, and growing an online STEM community to promote best practices. 

It is expected to impact 2,800 students during the grant period.

“We are eager to continue developing STEM resource teachers as leaders within the district,” said Jenny Hicks, science program manager at the I-STEM Resource Network. “Resource teachers serve as mentors to new teachers and those who are new to teaching science and math in an integrated way.”

Purdue faculty Signe Kastberg, Tamara Moore and Selcen Guzey are leading the planning and implementation of the professional development.

The I-STEM Resource Network was formed in 2006 to expand STEM education in Indiana and improve student success. It is supported by grants from the Lilly Foundation, Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, BioCrossroads, and the Lilly Endowment.  I-STEM is hosted by Purdue University.  

Writer: John Hughey, 765-494-2432, hugheyj@purdue.edu

   

Source: Paul J. Ainslie, 765-494-0557, painslie@purdue.edu