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NKU’s ‘Next Generation STEM’ projects gets Toyota USA Foundation grant; helps empower teachers


Northern Kentucky University’s Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM) announced the expansion of its Next Generation STEM Classroom Project through a $340,000 grant from Toyota USA Foundation.
 
The project, which provides preschool through 7th grade teachers in Northern Kentucky with high quality classroom-embedded professional development in teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), will be expanded to help serve districts outside Northern Kentucky. The grant will also help establish a new teacher fellows program to develop teacher-leader capacity within Northern Kentucky.

 

“This innovative program helps bridge the STEM skills gap, scaling impact by empowering teachers throughout the region,” said Mike Goss, president of Toyota USA Foundation.
 
Piloted in Boone and Kenton Counties during the 2012-13 school year, and expanded through a $560,000 grant from the Toyota USA Foundation, the program now serves 20 districts in Northern Kentucky, impacting nearly 1,000 in-service teachers, 200 pre-service teachers, and reaching more than 50,000 students. Last year, the Duke Energy Foundation also invested $75,000 in the program.
 
“The Toyota USA Foundation’s investment furthers our aim of improving STEM education and broadens our ability to impact teachers and students across Kentucky,” said Madhura Kulkarni, interim director of the NKU Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics. “Our region and our world demand a new generation of citizens that are prepared to constantly learn new skills. The inquiry-based learning at the core of the Next Generation STEM Classroom Project helps students to develop the ability and enthusiasm for lifelong learning.”  



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