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NCTM/NSTA STEM Ambassador Program

  • Apply now for the 2018 NCTM/NSTA STEM Ambassador Program

    What is the STEM Ambassador Program?

    The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) will identify and provide training to ten teacher "ambassadors" so they can develop the necessary skills to effectively communicate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to stakeholders.

    Teacher leaders who have received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) award are eligible to apply.

    Apply now!    Preview application components (DOC)

    Last year over 135 applications were received for the 2017 cohort of STEM Teacher Ambassadors. Of these, judges selected ten PAEMST teachers who were provided with the weeklong training in Washington, D.C, and are now known as STEM Teacher Ambassadors.

    Why the need for STEM Ambassadors?

    Teachers are often not included in key policy discussions at the local, state, and federal levels. As a result, many critical decisions made in regard to education policy do not reflect the expertise of classroom teachers.

    Many teachers seek greater leadership responsibilities and want to develop a stronger voice in STEM education discussions and issues. Veteran teachers want to guide new teachers without leaving the classroom, develop as a leader in the profession, and create partnerships and collaborations with parents, school leaders, and community leaders with the goal of improving K–12 STEM education.

    To do this, they must understand key education issues and possess a strong working knowledge about outreach techniques and practices that can effect change in the K–12 STEM education community.

    How does the STEM Teacher Ambassador program work?

    Judges for the STEM Teacher Ambassador program select master teachers from a pool of PAEMST awardees who have applied for this prestigious program.

    During a weeklong summer training in Washington, D.C., STEM Teacher Ambassadors meet and learn from inside-the-beltway leaders on major issues including key federal STEM programs, the role and impact of STEM research, professional learning and growth, standards, assessments, and more.

    STEM Teacher Ambassadors meet with experts and learn how to:

    • Conduct media interviews and write op-eds;
    • Communicate more effectively and deliver key messages to the public;
    • Engage with local and state officials;
    • Prepare effective materials for meetings with local, state, and federal policymakers;
    • Successfully convey policy ideas to thought leaders;
    • Use social media to amplify messaging.

    Following the weeklong training in Washington, D.C., NCTM and NSTA will provide organizational and professional support.

    STEM Ambassadors share work, track speaking engagements, and access important materials, including NCTM and NSTA position statements, white papers, advocacy information, news clips, articles, and research studies of importance.

    Ambassadors will work with NCTM, NSTA and other STEM stakeholders to bring awareness about STEM education.

    Are only Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) awardees invited to participate?

    Yes. PAEMST is considered the highest honor available to science and math educators. These award-winning, recognized classroom teachers possess a wealth of knowledge about STEM education and are ready and able to speak up on behalf of STEM instruction, for the importance of high-quality research, and to bridge the gap between educators and decision makers.

    How do I learn more and apply for the STEM Teacher Ambassador Program?

    The application for the 2018 STEM Teacher Ambassador program is available at nsta.org. Applications will be accepted until January 26, 2018.  View application components (DOC).

    Questions? Contact Dave Barnes at [email protected].

     

    This program is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1554059. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

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