Project Grant 2150950

This $626,912 National Science Foundation project grant supports the University of Central Oklahoma in conducting the Master Teachers Conducting STEM Practices and Action Research program. Funded under the NSF's STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), the program aims to train 14 high school biology and mathematics teachers as master teacher fellows over six years. The training involves engaging teachers in authentic research experiences, including bringing research into practice through educational action research. Central to the program is leadership development for teachers exploring achievement gaps exacerbated by COVID-19. Master teacher fellows will design research projects, collect and analyze data, and communicate findings. They will also develop three-dimensional STEM curricula aligned to state and national standards. Implementing and evaluating the effect of these curricula on student attitudes and content retention are major objectives. Leadership training from the Central Oklahoma STEM Alliance connects teachers to industry mentors. The program prepares teachers to effectively support other educators, especially those with emergency or alternative certification. The five-year project period began on January 1, 2023.