As a Doane Noyce Scholar, you will join a group of passionate students who are learning to teach science or math in high-need secondary schools. You will be equipped for success through a variety of enhanced teacher preparation activities. As a Noyce Scholar, program activities include: paid summer research opportunities, seminar and conference attendance, and additional professional support as you begin your new career as a teacher.
Developing Educators in High-Need Areas
Doane's teacher education program is regarded in Nebraska for its quality and rigor. Noyce Scholars earn valuable experience by completing teaching practicums in high-need urban and rural areas. The Project SERVE Seminar Series delivers specialized content and training relevant to growth in the teaching profession. These presentations will focus on developing culture competencies and teacher disposition, in addition to addressing topics specifically related to STEM education in high-need contexts.
The scholars participate in a mentoring program with a practicing teacher from a high-need school. Project SERVE partners with school districts in Crete, Lincoln, Wilber-Clatonia, Fairbury, Niobrara, and Minatare to provide mentors for the program.
Undergraduate Noyce scholars have the opportunity to participate in paid summer research projects while living on campus. Scholars are also able to apply for travel funds to attend local and regional STEM education conferences within the first two years after graduation.
High-need schools are defined as local education agencies that serve areas characterized by one or more of the following:
- A high percentage of families with incomes below the poverty line
- A high percentage of teachers not teaching in the content area they trained in
- A high teacher turnover rate
Noyce Scholars can earn credits towards their master's degree through the program. Students are also eligible for Doane's Teacher Warranty - which guarantees job placement, and the training required to succeed upon graduation.
The Noyce Scholarship
Undergraduates awarded the Noyce scholarship will receive $14,000 during their junior year and $24,500 in scholarships during their extended senior year. The scholarship, funded by the National Science Foundation, is awarded to promising science or math majors, with a passion to teach in high-need secondary schools.
STEM professionals with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a STEM discipline are also eligible to become Noyce Scholars, and will receive a $18,000 stipend as they pursue their teaching career through Doane University's Fast Track Program.
Noyce Scholars must commit to completing two years of service as a mathematics or science teacher in a high-need school for each year of scholarship or stipend received. If Scholars fail to complete their teaching obligation, they will agree to repay the required portion of the scholarship or stipend provided by the program.
Learning by Doing
The Doane Summer Undergraduate Research Program offers STEM students many opportunities to present their work progress and research results, both formally and informally. Doane hosts informal STEM education opportunities, which Noyce scholars are eligible to participate in:
- Local and Regional Science Fairs
- Math Competitions
- STEM Visitation Days
- Summer Science Camps
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Noyce Scholar?
The Noyce program is seeking to recruit talented individuals passionate about teaching STEM in high-need rural and urban schools. Two cohorts will be recruited, prepared, and supported
- Undergraduate STEM content majors.
- STEM professionals who hold a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree in a STEM discipline and have recently graduated or who are working in or have had a career in such a field or a related area, including retirees from STEM professions.
To learn about eligibility and apply as an undergraduate student or a graduate student, visit our application requirements page.
What is expected of a Noyce Scholar?
The goal of the Noyce Scholarship and Stipend program is to improve the quality and persistence of STEM teachers in rural and urban schools in Nebraska.
Noyce Scholars are expected to complete all program activities (i.e., mentee participants, seminars, conducting paid summer research, and more).
Noyce Scholars must commit two years of service in a high-need school as a mathematics or science teacher for each year of scholarship or stipend. If Scholars fail to complete this teaching obligation, they will agree to repay the required portion of the scholarship or stipend provided by the program.
What are the benefits of becoming a Noyce Scholar?
As a Noyce Scholar, you will be joining the highly-respected education department at Doane University that will prepare you for your career. You will be eligible for scholarships and stipends to support the work you do during this rigorous program.
Noyce Scholars work within a cohort of students that will learn from each other and current professionals who work in urban and rural schools. Various speakers and events throughout the year will provide you an opportunity to build your career as a future highly-qualified STEM educator in a high-need school.
Noyce Scholars will also have a reliable support system as they prepare to work in high-need urban and rural schools. Noyce Scholars are partnered with mentors from similar high-need schools to offer support, as well as chances to attend seminars and conferences taught by experts-sometimes full-funded.
How can faculty support the program?
Faculty members are the best advocates for the program.
As a faculty member, you can encourage students to apply.
Faculty are also eligible to receive stipends during Noyce scholar's student teaching, travel funds to supervise scholar's student teaching, and funds as research hosts.
To learn more, email NoyceProjectServe@doane.edu
