Ed department targets minority schools with STEM grants
The STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are at the cornerstone of education officials’ plans to improve learning as well as local, national and international test scores among U.S. students. Because of this, the U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to dole out some $3.1 million in grant funds to 14 schools serving predominately minority student populations. The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program grants are meant to boost the long-term advancement and betterment of STEM education in U.S. schools.
“These grants will help support the expansion of America’s scientific and technological capacity to build global competitiveness by increasing minority graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” explained U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
The grants will be used for a number of functions, including the funding of pre-college and college STEM programs, student research in the STEM fields, curriculum and educator development in the STEM subjects, student stipends, and the rennovation of STEM classrooms and labs.
The following is a list of schools that will receive a portion of the STEM grant, along with how much of the $3.1 million pot has been allocated to the institutions:
- Livingston, AL – University of West Alabama, $235,543
- Carson, CA – California State University, Dominguez Hills, $249,691
- San Bernardino, CA – San Bernardino Valley College, $224,770
- Chicago, IL – City Colleges of Chicago Kennedy King College, $250,000
- Box Elder, MT – Stone Child College, $139,661
- Elizabeth City, NC– Elizabeth City State University, $232,563
- Brooklyn, NY – Research Foundation of CUNY/Medgar Evers College, $154,850
- Bayamón, Puetro Rico – Inter American University of Puerto Rico – Bayamon Campus, $235,333
- Hato Rey, Puerto Rico – Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico, $249,583
- Mayagüez, Puerto Rico – University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, $250,000
- Memphis, TN – LeMoyne-Owen College, $235,131
- Tyler, TX – Texas College, $250,000
