Fort Hays State University has received a $1.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce program to tackle the issue of staffing high-need rural schools with effective STEM teachers. In Kansas, science educators ranked fifth in teacher shortages in 2023, according to the Kansas State Department of Education.
To address this issue, FHSU’s Robert Noyce Scholarship-Certified Rural Enhanced STEM Teachers (CREST) program aims to recruit and provide scholarships for 29 STEM students who will become STEM teachers in underserved rural districts. The project includes a close collaboration with community colleges such as Barton, Colby, Dodge City, Garden City, and Seward County to recruit students to FHSU for a STEM/Secondary Education major. Community college students will receive financial support as they prepare to transfer to FHSU, where they will be eligible for up to $30,000 in scholarship funds to complete their degrees. Transfer students as well as those who start their degrees at FHSU are eligible for these scholarships.
One unique aspect of the project is the development of a certificate program specifically designed to prepare STEM teachers for rural schools. This focus aligns with FHSU’s commitment to serving the educational and career needs of rural communities in Kansas. Overall, the CREST program aims to address the shortage of STEM teachers in rural areas and provide support for students pursuing careers in education within these underserved districts.
This initiative reflects FHSU University Communication’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by rural schools and aims to create a pipeline of qualified STEM teachers who can make a difference in these communities.
