Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology are among 12 colleges nationwide to receive a mini grant aimed at improving undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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The universities are encouraged to create "learning communities for STEM faculty members involved in reform efforts," establish "programs to train graduate students and undergraduate teaching assistants or peer advisors in active learning practices," renovate classrooms into "collaborative learning spaces," and develop "inclusive and welcoming learning environments for all students," according to the Association of American Universities. Both Georgia colleges are among AAU's 62 distinguished research universities.
The AAU grant, made possible by a five-year, $1 million grant from the Northrop Grumman Foundation, "will support our ongoing efforts to reimagine and enhance undergraduate STEM education at Emory in a way that more deeply emphasizes the creativity and discovery inherent in the sciences," Michael Elliott, dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences, said in a university article.
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The Atlanta research university will be using the funding toward a new initiative between the College of Arts and Sciences and Laney Graduate School called the Graduate Teaching Fellowship Program. Its purpose: to “equip graduate teaching assistants with the skills and tactics they need to be most effective” in the classroom. Graduate STEM students looking to advance their teaching skills can apply to participate in the 10-month program this spring.
Learn more about GTFP at news.emory.edu.
Georgia Tech and Emory join the following 10 universities awarded the mini grant: Brandeis University; Case Western Reserve University; Indiana University Bloomington; New York University; Stony Brook University; The University of Arizona; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Oregon; University of Toronto; and Washington University in St. Louis.
