Using STEM Internships to Recruit and Retain Noyce Scholars in Elementary Education

• In Event: 41.040 - Addressing the Need for STEM Teachers From and for Diverse Communities

Abstract

In this paper, second-year results of a five-year National Science Foundation (NSF), Noyce Scholars project are presented. In Year 1, we recruited six interns to work in STEM summer programs as a recruitment tool to attract and retain STEM undergraduates to dual major in elementary education. They worked in a variety of STEM-related educational settings, and three became Noyce scholars. We were able to recruit 10 additional interns in Year 2; three chose to become Noyce scholars. This paper examines the supports and mentoring the scholars received, how the program and internship influenced the scholars’ self-efficacy in science and mathematics, and best practices to build supportive learning communities to retain STEM teacher candidates.

Authors

• Saman Aryana, University of Wyoming

• Jacqueline Leonard, University of Wyoming

• Monica B. Mitchell, MERAssociates

• Marina Lazic, University of Wyoming