In 2020, the National Science Foundation awarded Geneva College with a $1 million Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grant. This grant supported the creation of an enhanced program to prepare STEM teachers to be highly qualified to teach biology, chemistry, math, and physics in high-need science and math classrooms. 

With the Noyce Grant in hand, Geneva planned to recruit and retain 22 Geneva students over the span of five years who were majoring in biology, chemistry, engineering, math, or physics. These students would also add secondary education to their plans of study, allowing them to qualify for the Noyce Grant. Upon acceptance, each student is required to commit to teaching in a high-needs school district for four years after graduation to have the loan by the Noyce Grant forgiven.

“Science and math teachers have historically been in high demand. The National Science Foundation's Noyce Grant encourages Geneva students to major in these academic areas and provides enrichment and support to them as they fulfill their callings of faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor.” -Dr. Adel Akins, Former Chair of Education Department, Noyce Grant Principal Investigator

Now, three years into this program, how have students benefited? The Noyce Grant has provided $445,963 in scholarships to 14 Geneva students.

These 14 students, including 11 graduates who are actively employed in their field as teachers, include:

• Drew Cramer ‘22: Milford School District, DE
• Dionna Pearce Pentermann ‘22: Chopticon HIgh School, MD
• Amy McAfoose Kurtz ‘22: Insight Cyber School
• Emily Shuttleworth Wrigh ‘22t: The Learning Center, PA
• Peyton Schell ‘22: Sharpsville School District, PA
• Nick Ehko ‘23: New Brighton Middle School, PA
• Kendall Lambert ‘23: Valor Voyager Academy, TN
• Susan Riggleman ’23: Davidson County School District, TN
• Brody Heller ’23: Youth for Christ Intern and Substitute Teacher, CA
• Garrison Wieland ’23: Ohio College Prep School, Cleveland, Ohio
• Peter Lewis ‘24
• Elishea Reed ‘24
• Emerson Spear ‘24

These students each have contributed to their fields at large, and Geneva College, through their research and work on campus. Our Noyce Scholars have worked on literature reviews, tutoring students, serving as teaching assistants and lab assistants, worked with faculty on various teaching and research projects, helped put on Geneva College events related to their study, and much more.

Two events these students help direct and execute are STEAM Night and STEM day. STEAM Night this year, under the direction of Kathy Austin, over 200 elementary children attended and went to 15 different STEAM exploration stations. 73 Geneva students and Noyce Scholars were involved in the planning, demonstration, and teaching for the event. STEM Day, another annual Geneva event, also under the direction of Kathy Austin, included active participation and STEM experimentation for 80 middle school-level students from Urban Impact Summer Camp. This event was planned and led by 6 sophomore Geneva STEM majors.

The most recent Noyce Scholars have also conducted research with a faculty member in the following areas:

• “Verification of Dosage in Ciprofloxacin”– Elishea Reed, Biology, Supervised by Dr. Austin
• “Difference from Expected Harmonic Behavior of Real Strings”-Emerson Spear, Physics, Supervised by Dr. Cross
• "The Geometrical Strength of Origami”- Peter Lewis, Math, Supervised by Dr. Cross 

Through exemplary service and academics, these students are making a difference on campus, in their communities, and now in schools throughout the country.

Amy (McAfoose) Kurtz ’22, a graduate of this program, says, “My favorite part of being in the program was learning applicable strategies for my career as a math teacher. In many of my education classes, the strategies taught were focused more on ELA, but in this program, we had STEM professors dedicated to teaching us how to effectively teach math and science to all students."

This cooperation between our education department and STEM faculty on campus helps to create a collaborative, thriving learning environment that enriches each student’s college experience and prepares them for their careers.

We are thankful for our staff and faculty who serve on the Noyce Grant management team to make this experience a reality for our students. The management team includes:

• Adel Aiken, PhD, Emeritus Faculty
• Rodney Austin, PhD, Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair of Chemistry, Math, & Physics
• Edward Dambach, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
• Marjory Tobias, Assistant Professor of Biology
• Sue Figgins, Administrative Assistant, Education Department