The Verizon Foundation is seeking teams of teachers in 12 public schools for a multiyear program designed to enhance student achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics - STEM subjects - by leveraging mobile technologies, Verizon announced today in a release.
Under the program, each school designated as a Verizon Innovative Learning School will receive a grant of up to $50,000 to support a technology coach and teachers as they participate in a two-year professional development program focused on increasing teacher and student proficiency with mobile technology and boosting student engagement and achievement in STEM.
The Verizon Foundation is working with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE,) which will provide coaches and teachers with customized onsite and online training specific to the needs and goals of each school.
“We’re proud of this program as it builds long-term value not just for Verizon, but for society,” said Rose Stuckey Kirk, president of the Verizon Foundation.
“Mobile technology is especially engaging to students, and – if implemented correctly – it can increase student success and interest in STEM subjects.”
According to the Verizon Foundation, studies have shown that minorities, women and low-income students are underrepresented in the scientific and technical disciplines, an under-representation known as a “STEM gap.”
Meanwhile, STEM jobs have grown three times faster than non-STEM jobs over the past 10 years.
Schools interested in applying for the Verizon Innovative Learning School program must meet the following requirements:
- Be a public school (includes charter schools) or public school district, where at least 40 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
- Be able to focus on any grades from 3rd through 10th.
- Already have mobile technology (smartphones, tablets or netbooks) available each day for participating teachers and their students (at a ratio of no more than two students to one mobile device) or an established BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program.
Identify a team of math, science and/or technology teachers to participate in this program for two years, including one teacher who will serve as the technology coach.
The deadline for applying for the program is March 11.
To apply, visit the Verizon Foundation’s website.
Click here for more information about the Verizon Innovative Learning School program.
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