UNI leads $5 million NSF-funded project to elevate STEM teaching in rural schools

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa- The University of Northern Iowa has been awarded nearly $5 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead a new initiative aimed at strengthening STEM education in rural elementary schools.

The five-year grant of $4,918,593 will fund the National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program: Midwest Alliance for Rural Elementary Science. The award period extends from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2030.

UNI faculty member Dana Atwood-Blainewill serve as principal investigator, collaborating with colleagues from the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University.

"Through this program, we have the opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the work of rural STEM teachers who are making a lasting impact on their students and communities," Atwood-Blaine said.

The NSF National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program is designed to elevate the teaching profession by recognizing and rewarding outstanding STEM educators working in high-need classrooms. The program seeks to:

• Support outstanding elementary science teachers through a regional STEM Teacher Corps.
• Build a lasting network of teachers, researchers and education leaders to strengthen rural elementary science teaching.
• Improve student learning in science, language arts and math with hands-on, real-world lessons.
• Study what works best in training teachers and teaching science in rural schools.

As part of the Midwest Alliance, UNI and its partner institutions will identify and support a cohort of 18 teachers committed to advancing STEM learning. Selected teachers will receive professional development, mentorship and a $12,000 stipend every year for four years.

"The Midwest STEM Alliance will help ensure these teachers receive the recognition, resources and growth opportunities they deserve. By elevating science instruction that integrates both literacy and math, we'll help students thrive across subjects and build a lasting foundation for rural science education across the Midwest," said Atwood-Blaine.

The NSF's investment in the National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program reflects a nationwide effort to transform STEM education by preparing exceptional teachers and creating a culture that values and sustains their contributions.