Are you a scientist interested in becoming a science teacher? With the 14-month MAst program at UNL, this is a possibility.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education Department is promoting a new program designed to help interested science professionals and graduates make the transition into grades 7-12 science teaching. There's a considerable need for qualified teachers in the physical and Earth sciences, and their program is making progress in providing capable teachers in these areas, especially for schools that serve diverse populations.
The Masters of Arts with an emphasis in science teaching (MAst) is a 14-month program that incorporates classroom learning, teaching technique and theory with practical teaching experience working with expert teachers in the Lincoln area. The National Science Foundation-Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship funds 14 competitive $12,000 scholarships each year. The program and its directors and instructors are committed to producing well-prepared, highly qualified teaching professionals to meet the science teaching needs in our nation’s schools.
They are currently recruiting for their fourth cohort of students. The application deadline is March 1, 2014; however, to be eligible for the NSF Robert Noyce Teacher scholarship the application must be received by Feb. 1, 2014. Students in Cohort 4 will start the program in May 2014 and will graduate in August 2015. The first summer classes start in May and run in the morning and afternoons five days a week. During the first summer of the program, MAst students have their first of three internship experiences working with students. In the fall semester, MAst students extend their internship by working with a master teacher in a local school and take evening classes four days a week (Monday through Thursday). During the spring semester MAst students devote most of their time to their student teaching internships, complete one online course and conduct an action-research project for their Master’s degree. In the last summer of the program, students work to complete and present their research project.
Learn more about the MAst program and the NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship (http://cehs.unl.edu/tlte/graduate/masters/MAst.shtml), or contact program director Dr. Beth Lewis (elewis3@unl.edu) or program assistant Aaron Musson (aaronmusson@gmail.com) UNL Department of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education with your questions.