ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all, today announced 244 middle and secondary science teachers from across the country who will take part as Fellows in the 2012-2013 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. Selected from hundreds of applications nationwide, the Fellows will participate in a year-long professional development program designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge.
This year, six prominent U.S.-based organizations, dedicated to the improvement and enhancement of quality science education in the U.S., are supporting the 244 new science teachers selected as Fellows in the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. The Dow Chemical Company, the primary sponsor of the program, will fund the participation of 195 science teachers as Dow-NSTA Fellows. The American Honda Foundation will support three science teachers as Honda-NSTA Fellows and the Amgen Foundation will support 11 science teachers as Amgen-NSTA Fellows. Astellas Pharma US, Inc. will support 14 science teachers primarily from the Chicago area as Astellas-NSTA Fellows and the Bayer USA Foundation will sponsor six science teachers as Bayer-NSTA Fellows. The remaining 15 science teachers will be supported by Lockheed Martin and named Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellows.
“We are thrilled to provide these teachers with the resources and support needed to help them feel confident and passionate about the critical work they do in inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leading STEM professionals,” said Gerry Wheeler, interim executive director, NSTA.
Representing 34 states and the District of Columbia, the 2012-2013 Fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria, including showing evidence of a solid science background and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. Each Fellow will receive a comprehensive NSTA membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities, including web seminars. In addition, each Fellow will receive financial support to attend and participate in NSTA’s 2013 National Conference on Science Education in San Antonio.
“Dow believes the future of successful STEM related careers for our youth is heavily influenced by passionate science teachers who are encouraged and mentored in their profession,” said Bo Miller, president of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. “The New Science Teacher Academy engages early career teachers in an impactful way and Dow is proud to support them as they develop their teaching skills.”
“The American Honda Foundation is proud to support NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy,” said Alexandra Warnier, manager American Honda Foundation. “We believe that investing in teachers through programs like these, focused on quality science teaching, ensures that our children become more competitive to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
“Since 2008, Astellas has sponsored NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy and was inspired to develop our own science education program, Science WoRx, to bring our scientists into the classroom,” said Jenny Kite, spokesperson for Astellas’ Science WoRx program. “As a research-based pharmaceutical company, we are committed to playing an active role in science education and supporting America’s teachers who ignite a child’s interest in science.”
“As a longtime supporter of STEM education, Bayer recognizes the lasting impact that quality teacher professional development can have,” said Sarah Toulouse, acting executive director of the Bayer USA Foundation. “Preparing and retaining the best and brightest science teachers is essential for today’s students to achieve and succeed in the STEM fields.”
“Lockheed Martin values the importance of providing training and resources to teachers so they are better equipped to teach the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians,” said Emily Simone, Lockheed Martin’s director of Global Community Outreach. “We’re excited to partner with NSTA and support the fellows.”
Launched during the spring of 2007, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, co-founded with a grant from the Amgen Foundation, was established to help reduce the high attrition rate in the science teaching profession by providing professional development and mentoring support to early-career science teachers. Since its inception, the Academy has provided high-quality professional development to more than 800 science teachers nationwide.
For a list of the 2012-2013 Fellows or to learn more about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, please visit www.nsta.org/academy.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
About The Dow Chemical Company Foundation
Established in 1979, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation contributes to a more sustainable world by supporting charitable initiatives focused on community success, science education and environmental stewardship. The Foundation is a separately governed, private foundation designed to carry out the charitable efforts of Dow, and is the primary funding source for Dow charitable donations. In 2011, the donations of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation totaled $24.9 million dollars globally.
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation (www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html) seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made nearly $180 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally. The Amgen Foundation can be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AmgenFoundation.
About Astellas Pharma US, Inc. and Science WoRx
The Astellas culture and brand is committed to building community, helping others, encouraging integrity and inspiring people to make a difference, today, tomorrow and every day. Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Northbrook, Illinois, is a U.S. affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in focused areas by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please visit our website at www.astellas.us or follow us on Twitter (@AstellasUS).
Established in 2010, Science WoRx is a mentoring program and online resource network to support science teachers’ needs in and outside the classroom. Created by Astellas Pharma US, Inc., the program seeks to increase understanding of the role that science plays in human health and medicine, and to inspire the next generation of scientists.
About the American Honda Foundation
Established in 1984, the American Honda Foundation (AHF) makes grants to non-profit organizations that benefit the people of the United States in the areas of youth and scientific education, with a specific focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment. AHF engages in grantmaking that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. Since its inception, more than $31 million has been awarded to organizations serving approximately 115 million people in virtually every state in the U.S. For more information please visit http://www.foundation.honda.com.
About Bayer Corporation and the Bayer USA Foundation
Bayer Corporation is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. As an inventor company, it sets trends in research-intensive areas. The company’s products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. The Corporation is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its role as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. Economy, ecology and social responsibility are corporate policy objectives of equal rank. In North America, Bayer had 2011 net sales of EUR 8,177 million ($11,366 million) and employed 15,800 at year-end. For more information, go to www.bayerus.com.
The Bayer USA Foundation is an endowed 501(c)(3) entity and is the primary source of Bayer Corporation’s philanthropy in the United States. With a programmatic focus on the environment and sustainability; education and workforce development; arts and culture; and health and human services, the foundation creates and supports organizations that improve communities in which Bayer employees live and work, as well as society at large. The Bayer USA Foundation is one of three Bayer foundations worldwide, including the Bayer Science & Education Foundation and the Bayer Cares Foundation. To learn more, go to bayerus.com/foundation.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.