News at 4Cs

Cape Cod Regional STEM Network at 4Cs Looks to Pair Pre-K-12 Educators with “Teacher-in-Residence” Opportunities

The Cape Cod Regional STEM Network at Cape Cod Community College is seeking applications from local Pre-K through 12 STEM teachers across Massachusetts as part of their “Teacher-in-Residence” program. Offered via a grant from the Woods Hole Sea Grant, the Teacher-in-Residence program pairs a STEM teacher with a marine science or technology host institution in their region for a two week externship. In addition to a $1000 stipend for completing their externship, a transportation stipend is also available to alleviate the cost of travel.

Each residency is built around the challenge of creating a project in collaboration with staff at their host institution. The goal is to develop approaches and STEM curricular materials that engage young people in STEM in the professional world and back in their classrooms.

“Through the grant we received from Woods Hole Sea Grant, we can support teachers and their students to connect with marine science institutions and bring high-quality, relevant, hands-on marine science curriculum into the classroom.” said Bridget Burger, Director of the Cape Cod Regional STEM Network, “And now more than ever, we need to dedicate resources and create spaces that support diversity in STEM.”

Upon completing the curriculum, participating teachers will receive a $500 transportation stipend that enables students to travel to the host institution for a field trip. This year, the STEM Network is working to better engage teachers from populations traditionally under-represented in STEM.

“Woods Hole Sea Grant recognizes the need for innovative solutions to address the gross lack of diversity in our field,” said Matt Charette, Director of Woods Hole Sea Grant. “These projects include concrete steps to meaningfully improve diversity, equity, and inclusion not only in the sciences, but across multiple walks of life. It is our hope that these projects will in turn inspire others and make a noticeable impact.”

Now in its seventh year, the Teacher-in-Residence program has placed teachers in settings such as Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, The Marine Biological Laboratory, National Marine Life Center, SencorpWhite, Teledyne Marine Systems, and Whydah Pirate Museum. Applications are open now for Pre-K-12 teachers in Massachusetts and will be open on a rolling basis at https://bit.ly/3byhMFl.

The Cape Cod Regional STEM Network at Cape Cod Community College is the hub for the region’s STEM Learning Ecosystem. Created in 2004, the state’s Regional STEM Networks connect educators, community leaders, and industry partners to further excite and energize students about opportunities in STEM. The Teachers-in-Residence program has been funded by National Science Foundation grant #1347610. For more information, contact Bridget Burger, Director, Cape Cod STEM Network at [email protected].