By: WIAT Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIAT) - U.S Senator Richard Shelby announced Friday that the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been awarded $1,450,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation, according to a release from Shelby's office.  

The funding will go to those investigating the usefulness and success of three different models for preparing teachers in STEM fields.

Model Type 1 engages first and second year students in STEM fields, along with providing scholarships for juniors and senior majoring in these areas. Model Type 2  focuses on engaging third and fourth year students, leading to a fifth year program. The final stage,  Model Type 3, is a one-year program that will engage career changers who already have a STEM bachelor's degree.

The project aims to increase the number of STEM secondary teachers in the southeast region of the country and build a new student pipeline to secondary education STEM careers.

Students can enter the programs by taking inquiry-based courses at UAB or Lawson State Community College (LSCC) and participating in informal summer STEM programs for middle and high school students.