STEM-ACT Scholarship Program

STEM-ACT is a program that provides scholarship support for Westfield State University STEM (Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Mathematics) secondary education students that are passionate about social justice and advancing STEM education. Students that are selected to become STEM-ACT Scholars will become part of our community of practice, which includes teacher candidates, teachers from high-need school districts, and WSU faculty. STEM-ACT Scholars receive scholarship support, testing support, and will be part of a community that seeks to make STEM a more equitable space in Massachusetts. 

STEM-ACT is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Noyce Program, which addresses the need to prepare and retain highly effective mathematics and science teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts. STEM-ACT Scholars will be participants in a community of practice that will support their training and retention in the program and as in-service teachers in Massachusetts high-need school districts.   

• Scholarship support of $12,000 a year for the junior and senior year.
• Customized wrap-around advising, professional development, and mentoring.
• Close collaboration with high-need school districts.
• Be part of a community committed to social justice and supporting STEM education in high-need school districts.
• Opportunities to attend local, regional, and national conferences.

• Must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent resident aliens;
• Must not have previously served (including concurrent service) as a K-12 teacher;
• Must be an undergraduate student who has attained at least junior status in a STEM (Biology, Chemistry, General Science, or Mathematics) secondary education major;
• Must be willing and able to serve as a full-time STEM teacher in a high-need school district anywhere in the US for a total of two years for each full year of a scholarship/stipend received, to be fulfilled within eight years after completing the STEM baccalaureate program;
• Must meet and maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA and have a 3.0 GPA in their education pedagogical sequence to be eligible for practicum.

• Megan Kennedy (Education): mkennedy@westfield.ma.edu
• Arne Christensen (Biology): achristensen@westfield.ma.edu
• Volker Ecke (Math): vecke@westfield.ma.edu
• Shannon Gleason (Education): sgleason@westfield.ma.edu
• Christine von Renesse (Math): cvonrenesse@westfield.ma.edu