ATHENS, Ala. — STEM is still on the rise! Today a kickoff event was held at Athens State University to discuss the impact its new $2 million grant will have on the next generation of STEM educators. Athens State TEACH is a program made possible by a $2 million dollar UTEACH grant that aims to help colleges and universities prepare aspiring STEM teachers.
Ryan Buchanan is a first semester transfer student at Athens State, and through the UTEACH program, "...I've already went through your college and I hadn't really decided what I wanted to do until a few months ago. I'll be able to not have to worry about setting one goal and having to work towards that. I'll have options too. If I want to change up, I'll be able to do that."
There is a shortage of teachers, and Athens State University Interim President Dr. Catherine Wehlburg believes one of the biggest areas of shortage is in their STEM programs, "... and having teachers who are able to teach in the sciences, technology, engineering and math is so very important for our students because that's where future jobs are and that's where a lot of the problems that need to be solved are relying on expertise."
Athens State TEACH Co-director Dr. Patricia Glaze adds that the $2 million grant does not stop there. "There's also a match from Athens State University to put it close to $3 million." That money is mainly going towards the remodeled student space for students to enjoy and other various things to help support students. "So stipends for their tuition for their first classes, scholarships throughout their time. They're doing their coursework here and then a scholarship for their internship because a lot of our students actually work. And when they do their internship, they have to, you know, not go to their job, they have to quit their job to do their full time internship. "