OCEANS GK-12 Teaching Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 program supports fellowships to connect graduate students and advanced undergraduates in science and mathematics with K-12 teachers in the Nation's Schools.

Activities
  • Spring Training, Scientist in the Classroom course for Graduate Fellows
    Focus: 'Learning science in a K-12 setting'
  • Summer Training I, Experiental Learning in Marine Science for Fellows, Teachers & Faculty
    Summer Training II, Fellows & Teachers serve as science mentors during Oceanography Camp for Girls
    Focus: 'Learning science in a research setting'
  • School Year Program, Teaching Marine Science I & II for Fellow-Teacher Teams
    Focus: 'Teaching science in a K-12 classroom'

Outcomes

  • Improved science communication & instructional skills for Fellows
  • Professional development opportunities & ocean content gains for K-12 teachers
  • Enriched science learning for K-12 students
  • Strengthened partnerships between College of Marine Science & our schools

National Scope

NSF's GK-12 program supports the fellowships and appropriate training necessary for Fellows to enter the schools, but it is not a teacher preparation program. The primary objective of the program is to provide fellowships to highly qualified graduate and advanced undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines to achieve advanced degrees, and contribute toward the improvement of the Nation's schools. The GK-12 program seeks, in the words of one observer, to create citizen scientists for the 21st century.