AAMU STEM Research Experiences for Pre-service Secondary Teachers

AAMU STEM research experience program provides opportunities for future STEM teachers to engage in a research project in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Each summer, we will be accepting eight pre-service secondary teachers who will work alongside Alabama A&M University professors and their teams to gain research experience in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

Who is this opportunity for?

• This research experience program is open to pre-service STEM education majors attending any college or university in the U.S.
• The ideal candidate for this project would be a student who has completed their second year of college, is committed to becoming a teacher in a STEM field, and is available for the entire length of the summer experience.
• Applications are encouraged from underrepresented minorities including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, as well as from students who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and first-generation college students.

Research Projects

The Director of AAMU STEM Research Project coordinates with faculty members from all across campus to offer a vast array of research opportunities for teachers in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. This program offers a collaborative experience that will grow teachers’ expertise in a variety of areas.

Dates of AAMU STEM Research Program

June 1 – July 31

Required Qualification:

• Must be committed to a K-12 STEM education program.
• Posses one or more years of education coursework.
• Will commit to the entire length of the program.
• Applications must be submitted by February 28.

Stipend and Benefits:

• $6,000 stipend during the summer
• Travel & mileage stipend available
• On-campus housing provided, if needed
• Alabama A&M University housing
• Food/meal plan provided
• All necessary materials for research and professional learning
• Cohort activities and weekly professional development seminars

Expected Outcomes

• Develop “teacher-scholars” — teachers and prospective teachers in STEM teaching fields in a setting that emphasizes the interconnections among research, theory, and applications and who develop the mental habits of a scientific thinker.
• Create a research poster based on the lab research.
• Maintain ongoing partnerships between university researchers and pre-service STEM teachers, with common goals.
• Be a better STEM teacher through professional development.

Program Details

A normal week includes:

• 8 weeks of field or lab research.
• One day of weekly professional development activities

Products produced at the end of the program:

• Research poster.
• Lesson or a plan to use summer learning in the future.
• Final oral presentation of learning and end of summer.

Contact

Dr. Salam Khan

Professor of Mathematics
Director, AAMU STEM Research Program
Alabama A & M University
Email: salam.khan@aamu.edu

Phone: (256) 372-4838

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This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2243012

"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."